WSP07478

• File Number: 8272.600.60
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program - Basin Member State Info - Utah
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 3/1/1982
• Title: Salt Uptake in Natural Channels Traversing Mancos Shales in the Price River Basin - Utah
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

Table 7.1. Correlations used to estimate 1973-1975 flows at Heiner.

Month Equation Degrees of Freedom 2
r
Jan. H . 543 + 0.19 (5R) + 3.83 (WC) 5 0.59
Feb. II . 421 + 0.67 (SR) + 3.1 (WC) 5 0.67
N Mar. H = 907 + 1.06 (5R) + 2.3 (WC) 5 0.993
~ Apr. H = 1749 + 1.05 (SR) + 3.2 (WG) 5 0.997
0 May H = 137 + 3.95 (BG) + 1.84 (WG) 15 0.98
00 + 0.62 (WR) + 0.98 (SR)
Jun. H . 137 + 3.95 (BG) + 1. 84 (WG) 15 0.98
+ 0.62 (WR) + 0.98 (5R)
.Tul. H = -1309 - 10.0 (BG) + 7.57 (WG) 15 0.95
+ 2.16 (WR) + 1.03 (5R)
Aug. H = -1309 - 10.0 (BG) + 7.57 (WG) 15 0.95
+ 2.16 (WR) + 1.03 (5R)
Sep. H = -1309 - 10.0 (BC) + 7.57 (WG) 15 0.95
+ 2.16 (WR) + 1.03 (5R)
Oct. H = -166 + 0.96 (5R) + 5.76 (WG) 5 0.95
Nov. H = 155 + 1. 0 (5R) + 4.1 (WC) 5 0.96
Dec. H = 866 + 0.08 (SR) + 7.4 (WC) 5 0.85
H = Flow at Heiner (AF/mo)
SR = Flow at Scofield Reservoir (AF/mo)
we = Flow at Willow Creek (AF/mo)
WR = Flow at White River (AF/mo)
Be = Flow at Beaver Creek (AF/mo)

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79 percent for conveyance efficiency and
85 percent for application efficiency. The
application efficiency seems high, but model
calibration was sensitive to this parameter
and 85 gave the best match.

The model calibration indicated a
lag of about 7 months in deep percolation
flows. Agricultural return flows were esti-
ma ted to have a dissolved solids concentra-
tion of about 5350 mg/l. These concentrations
appear reasonable in that Desert Seep Wash
drains a major portion of the agricultural
lands of the basin and typically has dis-
solved solids concentrations from 2500 to
4000 mg/l. Reduced dilution may account for
the difference between Desert Seep Wash
concentrations and the 5350 mg/l predicted
for agricultural return flows by BSAMl.
Another possibility would be that the cali-
brated 85 percent application efficiency is
too high.

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Simulation runs
project the ef fects on
different management

were also made to
flows at Woodside of
alternatives. The

results are summarized in Table 7.2 and
highlighted as follows:
1. Ungaged inflow was reduced by 20
percent to determine the effect of upstream
detention. The results showed an increase in
basin outflow dissolved solids concentrations
of about 1.6 percent but a decrease in total
salt outflow of about 2.3 percent (Figures
7.5 and 7.6).

2. Irrigation efficiencies were raised
by 10 percent to determine the effect of
improved irrigation techniques. Results
showed an increase in the dissolved solids
concentration (TDS) of the basin outflow of
7.1 percent, but a decrease in total salt
output of about 7.3 percent (Figures 7.7 and
7.8).

3. Alfalfa (a high water user) on 9200
acres was changed to corn (a low water user),
and 1000 acres of phreatophytes were elimi-
nated. Dissolved solids concentrations
stayed constant while total salt output rose
5.5 percent (Figures 7.9 and 7.10).

67

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