WSP06497

• File Number: 8270.100
• Description: Colorado River Basin Water Quality/Salinity -- Misc Water Quality
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 1/1/1974
• Author: USDOI
• Title: Colorado River Water Quality Improvement Program - Status Report
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

In the final analysis, however, the overall salinity
problem cannot be divorced from planned future
development of the basin's water resources and the
resulting water demands that are expected to exceed its
dependable supply. Thus, the overriding issue of the
Colorado River involves both the interrelated matter of
future water depletions and deteriorating water
quality. Moreover, the rapid onset of the energy crisis
is expected to result in accelerated consumptive use of
Colorado River water in order to support oil shale
development, electric power generation, and coal
development and conversion.

Subsequent energy development in the basin is
expected to directly affect water quality and
consequently emphasizes the need to implement an
effective salinity control program.

In broad context, the salinity problem has a multitude
of complex factors ranging from natural hydrologic
variations and manmade changes over time to
international relations and institutional constraints.

SALINITY ISSUE

There is no single, encompassing solution to the
salinity problem. A salinity control program should be
regarded as one element of a comprehensive plan of
management for the water resources of the Colorado
River Basin. Other elements requiring definition and
possible implementation to optimize the use of the
basin water resources are new management techniques,
legal and institutional changes, and the planning and
control of interrelated structures.

The Colorado River Water Quality Improvement
Program is a 10-year investigational program of the
Bureau of Reclamation aimed at evaluating the means
by which the salinity control goals can be most
efficiently attained from the standpoint of cost
effectiveness and time. Current technology and
management skills were examined to evaluate the
salinity control measures. From this, initial emphasis
was placed on evaluating salinity impacts from
irrigation, diffuse, and point sources. Within this array,
nonstructural measures such as improving irrigation
efficiency, river system management, water system
management, and utilizing return flows are being given
prime consideration. Other techniques such as weather
modification, geothermal resources, desalting sea
water, land and vegetation management, and
wastewater utilization are not as advanced and are
undergoing additional research and development to
identify their prospects for water quality improvement.

The most promising near-term salinity control
measures are improved irrigation efficiencies and water
systems management. There are no significant
structural requirements associated with these
techniques and therefore no large capital investments.
The initial costs of training personnel, developing and
adapting computer programs to the service areas, and
establishing irrigator cooperation are the major costs of
the Irrigation Management Services Program. These
nonstructural costs are completely covered by the
investigational funding of these units. The investigation
schedule for these units anticipates that the local water
user organizations will assume operation and funding
for the I MS activities at the end of the developmental
period.

(1

Alternatives have been evaluated in certain areas of the
Colorado River Water Quality Improvement Program
and have been included in the Status of Investigations
grouping. Table 1 summarizes the overall control
effects, benefits, and cost effectiveness of the selected
alternatives.

The status of other important investigations and
research studies are also included in this report. These
investigations require additional time and effort to
close data gaps and fully evaluate future potential. A
brief resume of the analytic studies, the investigations,
and research studies based on the best information
available follows:

ECONOMIC AND OTHER
ANAL YTIC STUDIES

ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF WATER
QUALITY

Two studies have been made to quantify the impact of
salinity increases on the water uses of the Basin. The
results are available but they are of a tentative and
preliminary nature. Further study and analyses of the
findings is continuing. A conclusive evaluation of
control measures is dependent on these efforts.

INSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL REVIEW

An institutional and legal review of Federal law, State
laws, power and water contracts, an international
treaty, and a U.S. Supreme Court decree has been
completed and a report of the findings is being
prepared. This analysis will identify the constraints on
the program and a legal setting within which salinity
control measures can be more effectively pursued.

6