WSP06290

• File Number: 8277.600.10
• Description: Big Sandy River Unit - Colorado River Salinity Control Program
• State: WY
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 5/1/1986
• Title: U.S.D.A. Selected Plan - Big Sandy River
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Definite Plan Report

I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I

Objectives and Scope

The overall objectives of the USDA's participation in the salinity
control study were: (1) to determine the contribution of salt loading
from the irrigated cropland and related upland range areas and (2) to
determine the opportunity for reducing salt loadings to the Big Sandy
River and the downstream river system.

This study meets the primary objective of salinity control planning
as set forth in Public Law 93-320. Salinity control contributes to the
water quality improvement aspects of the Environmental Quality (EQ)
objectives as described in the Principles and Guidelines for planning
Water Resources published by the U.S. Water Resources Council. Public
Law 93-320 also recognizes the contributions to be made to the National
Economic Development (NED) objective since improved water quality and
water conservation have significant economic benefits. Components of
the NED and EQ objectives of this study can be specified as follows:

National Economic Development (NED):

1. Reduce salt loading to the Colorado River.

2, Improve irrigation efficiencies (reduce deep percolation).

Environmental Quality (EQ):

1. Reduce salt loading to the Colorado River.

2. Minimize effect of wildlife values foregone,

The display of the EQ and NED accounts for Alternative 3B are shown
in appendix C, figure C-2. page C-3 of the 1980 USDA Salinity Report.
Alternative 3B and the Low Pressure Sprinkler alternative described in
this report are essentially the same; therefore. no further display of
impacts will be made.

The scope of the study, through interagency participation and
public involvement, provided for the development of alternatives to
reduce salt loading from the Big Sandy River.

The initial USDA salinity study was done during 1978 and 1979. A
USDA report was published November 1980. This report is titled "Big
Sandy River, Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Study"--prepared by
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, Casper.
Wyoming. That report with backup data gives the background and details
of the salinity study. The selected alternative outlined in this report
resulted in further investigation by the Soil Conservation Service over
the past 4 years. Alternatives evaluated since the 1980 report are:
(1) a low pressure sprinkler irrigation project putting the entire
distribution system in pipe and pumping plant at the Big Sandy
Reservoir, and (2) a low pressure sprinkler irrigation project with
individual on-farm pumping stations at the farm canal turnouts.

. .
, r \'
Q'.J\. ",u J.

1-3