|
<br />.' ~.'10. ~ ~~
<br />l,.J;)
<br />
<br />about 5,000 acr",s NWt'9 1),.:8r1 as a +;8st :.n 1970 in order to evaluate
<br />the reduction in l::>sses C-,h2\', vi::mld be achie-v-;d and the resulting
<br />salinity r~ductions.
<br />
<br />,
<br />
<br />The Grand V,illey Salinity Control Project would include the
<br />lining of t.he balance of ~,he unlined 220 miles of canals and ~,80
<br />miles of later~_s i~ the valley, corsolidati~g those canals and
<br />laterals that parallel one another, and adding water control
<br />stn.ctures to the system. Also, on-farm physical improvements are
<br />needed such as lining of field ditches, I'rater measuring devices and
<br />CO,.'ff-,ral structures to deliver water more accurately, the control of
<br />taiLi3.ter, anc. installation of proper drains. These on-farm improve-
<br />ments, Fl.thongh not included in the proposed leGislation, aTe under
<br />proe;::-2ms of 'che Department of Agriculture. Already some of the
<br />nesdect o~-f<Jrr:l improvement. is t.aking place, as 241 miles of farmer's
<br />ditches:: helVe been lined and 156 miles of on-farm pipelines constructed.
<br />
<br />The reductions in salt contribution to the Colorado River from
<br />these me'lsures are estimated to range from 200,000 to 2GO,000 tons
<br />anrmalJ.y. Beside this benefit to dm.mstream users from the Grand
<br />Vc:lley project, there would be benefits to local "Tater users.
<br />
<br />TIle cost of the system improvement portion of the Grand Valley
<br />program is estimated to be $59,000,000 for consolidating and lining
<br />of canals a:1d laterals, and replacing and rehabilitatinG; canal and
<br />lateral cont.rol structures. \lith interest. during construction
<br />add8d, the total capital cost ~TOuld be $72,900,000. Upon completion
<br />of the wo~k, it. is anticipat.ed t.hat t.he system will be oper~~ed by
<br />the local districts at their expense. Likewise, the cost c',;" irri-
<br />gati 0'1 mo'l1af,ement services \'Till be paid by the farmers utilizi!1[;
<br />th~ service.
<br />
<br />Am;ual costs of the Grand Valley program amount to $1,., 735,000
<br />and a~8 based on amortization of the capital costs over 100 VPC:l'S at
<br />a~ 6 7/3 rercent interest rate, with the annual capit.al cost"
<br />ComprlE8l;t reduced by $200,000 per year, l'Thich is the estimated
<br />rCQuc',,:;.on in operation and maint.enance expenses of the r8ha:,ilit"t.')d
<br />co''''.'l :,':'.ct lateral systems. The salt reduct.ions of 200,000 "':;r)J13 c.')
<br />22/;, COO ':~G113 per year would cause reductions in the river's salir-..L r.y
<br />0-::. ~rcr,'.'1'i.al Dam in the year 2000 of 23 ppm to 32 ppm.
<br />
<br />-,
<br />
<br />'1;1<- ~~I.7',~al Geyser is an ab:mrloned oil test well, lOCG.-,:~d 3.5
<br />J".U,,,~o [;0'.",-.,1 01 the tOl-n1 of Green River, Ut.ah, on the east. l13\',k of
<br />ti-,Q G,-,:-,':m ,7,iver. Saline I'Tater originating from the Navajo Sandstone
<br />.f"orm,'\t:: on. 700 feet deep, rises through the geyser, which e)~upts at
<br />aI)proximat,ely five hour intervals. The erupted water has a salt
<br />concf.'ntrC'.~ion of 11,000 tQ 14,000 ppm and contributes 3,000 tons of
<br />salt npmally to the Colorado River.
<br />
<br />A feasibility level invest.igation was conducted by Brigham
<br />Young University through a contract with the Bureau of Reclamat.ion.
<br />
<br />,-
<br />
<br />- 17 -
<br />
|