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<br />...... <br />~ <br /> <br />C") <br />o <br /><:) <br />c' <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />~. <br /> <br />Lateral Improvement: This plan involves improvement of lateral <br />systems under both the private and Federal canal systems in the Grand <br />Valley area to reduce seepage, Improvements would include concrete <br />lining and/or piping the laterals. <br /> <br />Laterals proposed for improvement include those of the Stub and Price <br />Ditches and of the Orchard Mesa, Grand Valley Irrigation Company, and <br />Government Highline Canals, Some 700 laterals extending about 500 miles <br />could be part of this plan. Over 10,000 irrigators are currently receiving <br />water from the private laterals under consideration. Laterals under <br />the Redlands Canals would not be part of this alternative, nor would <br />laterals already improved under Department of Agriculture programs. <br /> <br />Canal Seepage Reduction: Two canal seepage reduction options have <br />been identified under this alternative--canal lining and a canal seepage <br />barrier. In the canal lining option, seepage would be reduced by either <br />concrete or membrane lining. Some 200 miles of private and Federal <br />canals irrigating approximately 60,000 acres are under consideration for <br />this plan. The barrier option involves the placement of an impermeable <br />material within the downslope canal embankment. The material would <br />function as an underground dam, stopping canal seepage from moving down- <br />gradient toward the Colorado River. The barrier would only be considered <br />for portions of the Government Highline Canal and the Kiefer Extension. <br /> <br />Systems Combining: This plan involves the water management and <br />salinity reduction opportunities that would result from combining canal <br />systems in the Grand Valley. By combining two or more canals into one, <br />laterals of the upper canal would be extended and combined with those of <br />the lower system, The new laterals would be concrete and/or pipe. <br /> <br />(Note: The three structural plans discussed above would include <br />safety features such as fencing and escape ladders on canals. Measures <br />to offset expected losses to wetlands will also be considered. These <br />measures could include items such as development of wildlife habitat <br />along the Colorado River or elsewhere in the valley.) <br /> <br />No Reclamation Development: To assist in the evaluation and compar- <br />ison of alternatives, the future as it would occur without Bureau of <br />Reclamation salinity control measures in the Grand Valley is forecasted. <br />Salinity improvement would instead be dependent on development of other <br />salinity control units or on programs conducted by the Department of <br />Agriculture. <br /> <br />5 <br />