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o T\:) T\:) Cj) SUMMARY , The Meeker Dome Unit of the Colorado River Water Quality Improve- ment Program is located in northwestern Colorado in the Upper Colorado River Basin. Meeker Dome is a local anticlinal uplift approximately 3 miles east of the town of Meeker. Saline water, apparently related to exploratory oil wells drilled in the early to mid-1900's, was issuing from Meeker Dome and increasing the salinity of the White River, a trib- utary of the Green River which in turn is a tributary of the Colorado River. Saline water issuing from Meeker Dome was apparently related to abandoned exploratory oil wells drilled in the early to mid-1900's. The Meeker Well was drilled about 1915 at the southern base of Meeker Dome near the White River. In 1924, the Marland Well was drilled near the top of the dome. The Scott Well was drilled near the Marland Well in 1945. The James Well was drilled in 1956 near the base of the dome on the southeast-facing slope. Between 1958 and 1962, three addi tional wells, known as the Kritsas Wells, were drilled on the northern toe of the dome more than a mile north of the Marland and Scott Wells. Various entities attempted to plug these wells, but plugging attempts were only partially successful. In 1968, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) directed the plug- ging of Meeker Well with funds provided by the Federal Water Pollution Control Administration. Although measurable flow at Meeker Well was stopped, the Kritsas Wells began flowing in 1969. The Kritsas Wells were successfully plugged later in 1969, but in 1970 seeps began appear- ing on the south side of the dome. In 1974, the Colorado Water Conservation Board passed a resolu- tion requesting that the Bureau of Reclamation include the Meeker Dome area as a part of the salinity control studies in the Colorado River Basin. Preliminary investigations, which began in 1976 under the gen- eral authority of Public Law 93-320, included examination of existing geologic and hydrologic data. A Notice of Initiation of Investigation was issued in October 1977, and a planning team was organized in March 1979. . In May 1979, a contract was awarded to CH2M HILL, a water resources consultant, to investigate and analyze Meeker Dome salinity problems and formulate measures to decrease the flow of saline water to the White River from the dome area. The contractor's work included problem iden- tification and quantification, plan formulation, and verification activ- ities. In October 1980, Public Law 96-375 specifically authorized feasibility-level studies for the Meeker Dome Unit. From March 1979 through February 1980, four public meetings were held and a field review of the verification program was conducted for interested entities. In addition, the public was kept informed by periodic newsletters. 5-1