WSP06833

• File Number: 8276.855
• Description: Grand Valley Unit - Colorado River Basin Salinity Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 1/1/1974
• Title: The Grand Valley - Control of Salinity in Irrigation Return Flows
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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Ground water (above)~Where shallow water
tables develop as a result of deep percolation
of excess water, evaporation directlv from
the soil surface can cause salt to accumulate
on the surface as in this irrigated field near
Grand Junction, Colorado.

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UJMEFlE CIa S~L TS camE FFlam?

The earth's crust
(Ieft)- The original source
of salts is in rock of the
earth;s crust and salts
deposi fed eons ago as the
earth's crust was reshaped.

I rrigation water
(right)-AII irrigation
lNaters contain salts. Plants
take up the water and
leave most of the salts
behind. Weathering of soil
material adds more salt to
the soil. Water passing
through the roo t zone
carries some of the
accumulated salts with it.

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Much of the water can be removed by flow
into tile drains...

... and/or open ditch drains.