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.... ~ o (J; close cooperation during construction resnlted in a smooth transition to the new systems. The 1993 Southwestern Colorado Irrigation Guide was published and widely distributed during the year. In addition to specific guidance for water management, the guide includes a calendar of agricultural events, instructions on how to read various water measuring devices, and other information. Development of an automatic shutoff valve for sprinkler systems continued. To date, 18 valves have been installed by participants to help achieve irrigation water management. A demonstration project is underway using drip irrigation to show the effects of different irrigation water application rates on beans and wheat. Glenwood-Dotsero Springs Unit, Colorado This unit is located along the Colorado River in Eagle, Garfield, and Mesa Counties in we8t- central Colorado. The unit constitutes the second largest point source of salinity to the Colorado River. About half the salt comes from 20 surface saline springs; the remainder enters as seep8 and underwater springs within the river channel. Reclamation Under a cooperative agreement with Reclamation, private developers are investigating the feasibility of privatizing salinity control ofthe saline springs in the vicinity of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. In 1993, the project sponsors developed a more locally acceptable desalination alternative. Grand Valley Unit, Colorado The Grand Valley Unit is located in west-central Colorado along the reach of the Colorado River near Grand Junction. The unit would remove the estimated 300,500 tons of 8alt added to the Colorado River annually as a re8ult of conveyance system seepage and deep percolation from irrigated farmland. 14 Reclamation Construction is underway on parts of the east end of the Government Highline Canal as well as the Price and Stubb Ditch systems. Reach 1b of the Government Highline Canal is under construction. Reach 1a will be awarded in fiscal year 94. Work on the Mesa County Irrigation District and Palisades Irrigation District construction cooperative agreements for the Price and Stubb Ditch system improvements is about 40 percent complete with 29 of 70 miles of canal and lateral work completed. Work on the8e systems is expected to be completed in about 3 years. The Grand Valley Water Users have completed 11 of 60 miles oflaterals. This cooperative agreement is scheduled to be completed in the next 4 to 5 years. USDA Implementation has been underway in this unit since 1979. In 1993, 65 new contracts were approved for a total of 3,329 CRSC contracts and Agricnltural Conservation Program (ACP) 8alinity/long-term agreements since the program began. There are 123 applications pending approval. The application of salinity control and wildlife habitat replacement practices continues. In this area, the 8alinity control program focuses on improving surface irrigation systems by installing underground pipelines, gated pipe, 8urge valves, concrete-lined ditches, and land leveling. Some conversion to drip and microjet irrigation systems is also taking place. This is the final year for the surge demonstration and evaluation program being conducted with a grant from Reclamation. One hundred and thirty-five surge units have been installed by farmers under this program. Evaluation results show significant reductions in deep percolation after surge systems are in8talled and correctly operated. Since this demonstration program started, 240 additional surge systems have been installed by salinity control participants. A spinoff ofthe surge demonstration program is fertigation, which involves applying liquid nitrogen fertilizer during the soak stage of irrigation. Acceptance