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-, . o {O ~ N SPECIAL STUDIES (Continued) irrigated, nature of aquifers, rainfall, dilution, temperature, irriga- tion methods, storage reservoirs, vegetation, and type of return flow channels . Consumptive use, return flow, salinity, and pollution studies are continually being made by Universities such as Utah State and Colorado State and by Federal agencies in cooperation with State and local agen- cies. Some of the study areas are purposely held small to achieve better control, but they will be as representative as possible of exist- ing projects. The results pertaining to the quantity of return flow will be very helpful in estimating effects on water quality of return flows from larger areas where measurement of inflow and outflow is not always possible or practical. Studies of local areas are also conducted under the Section 208 program (P.L. 92-500) or by private organizations under contract with, the government. These Section 208 studies include the investigations of all sources of salinity as well as, bacteriologi- cal, biological, heavy metals and all other types of pollution. Special studies in areas of the basin will continue to be made from time to time to determine water quality conditions, and studies of projects, such as Florida, Grand Valley, and Vernal Areas should be repeated or continued in order to evaluate changes with time. . H. Environmental Protection Agency Report A special 1971 report by the Environmental Protection Agency en- titled "The Mineral Quality Problem in the Colorado River Basin" pre- sents results and recommendations obtained from a comprehensive salinity control study. This report includes a presentation of natural and manmade conditions affecting mineral quality, the p~8tcal and economic impacts, and salinity control and management aspects. I. Model Studies 1. Colorado River Storage Project Model (CRSP) This mathematical model was developed by the Bureau of Reclamation for the Colorado River Reservoir Long Range operating criteria (Public Law 90-537) and includes monthly water supply data for the period 1906-74. It does not project future quality conditions at any station above Lee's Ferry. Water quality data were added to the model to obtain salt loadings. Since water quality records are not available for the years prior to about 1941, the records back to 1906 were obtained by correlations. This, model was used in the sizing study for the Yuma Desalting Plant which has been authorized for construction under Title 1 of Public Law 93-320. The study shows the magnitude, duration and frequency of extreme salinities in the lower reaches of the Colorado River. . 123