WSP06936

• File Number: 8273.100
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control - Federal Agencies - Bureau of Reclamation
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 1/1/3000
• Author: BOR
• Title: Colorado River Water Quality Improvement Program - Lower Gunnison Basin Unit - Bureau of Reclamation Activities - Summary Sheet
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Project Overview

OFF-FARM IRRIGATION SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS

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The original plan presented in the 1982 Lower Gunnison Basin unit
Feasibility Report/Final Environmental Impact Statement (FR/FEIS)
recommended lining the five Uncompahgre Project canal and lateral
systems on the east side of the Uncompahgre River. This plan
included approximately 254 miles of canals and laterals with an
estimated cost effectiveness of $160 per ton (indexed to January
1994 dollar levels).

Recognizing that the cost effectiveness of the proposed plan was
far in excess of acceptable levels, Reclamation reevaluated the
alternatives presented in the FR/FEIS drawing from experience
gained from implementation of irrigation system improvements in the
Grand Valley Unit. The resulting reformulated plan consists of
replacing 195 miles of existing laterals and 7 miles of canals with
188 miles of pipelines. Again, all improvements would occur on the
east side of the Uncompahgre River. The plan also includes
mitigation for 539 acres of potentially impacted wetlands. The
associated cost effectiveness of the proposed plan is approximately
$70 per ton with a total cost of about $53 million and salt load
reduction of 64,000 tons per year.

The reformulated plan is being referred to as the East Side Lateral
Project. A draft preconstruction report has been developed for
consideration by Reclamation management and the Salinity Control
Forum. An O&M contract has been negotiated with the Association.
It is anticipated that construction would be accomplished by the
Association with design and construction management assistance
provided by Reclamation.

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SURGE IRRIGATION DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM

Under an existing cooperative agreement with Colorado State
University Extension Service (Extension Service), Reclamation is
providing funding for a program to demonstrate the benefits of
surge irrigation technology. Under this program surge valves and
controllers are provided to participating irrigators. In exchange
for this equipment, the farm operators agree to participate in a
monitoring program being conducted by the Extension Service and
Department of Agriculture. The results of the demonstration
program indicate that substantial reductions in deep percolation
and associated salt loading can be accomplished through application
of surge irrigation technology. It is believed that integration
and coordination of off-farm and on-farm programs (emphasizing
surge irrigation technology) could significantly increase salinity
control benefits and improve the cost effectiveness of the proposed
East side Lateral Project.

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