WSP07975

• File Number: 8278.100
• Description: Title I - Yuma Desalting Plant
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 10/1/1987
• Author: USDOI/BOR
• Title: Yuma Desalting Plant Operations Study - Draft Special Report
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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Disadvantages:
"May encounter opposition from Arizona and California.
'Plan may require legislation.
'Plan is a partial, not permanent solution.
"Indian water may be claimed by Arizona or California.

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plan 8-19 Buv Out Wellton-Mohawk Irriaation and Drainaae
District.
Cost $27.8 million, TVS 1037 points, Category III.

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This plan would terminate the irrigation of the Wellton-Mohawk
Irrigation and Drainage District and eliminate the problem of
treating Wellton-Mohawk drainage water. This plan eliminates the
need for the YDP, except to meet the salinity differential.
Strong opposition by local and state governments is expected even
though some individual landowners may favor the plan. Cost of
land was estimated to be $4,500 per acre.

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Advantages:
.Removes the effect of Wellton-Mohawk drainage water.
.No water right issue is involved.
-Additional Colorado River water is made available for use
elsewhere in the State of Arizona_

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Disadvantages:
-Intense local and state
.Major social, economic,
.Not a total solution.

opposition is expected.
and environmental impacts

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expected.

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Plan B-20.
lexcludina
Cost $10.1

Purchase of Water Riahts
W~llton-Mohawk) .
million, TVS 1003 points,

bv Federal Government

Category IV.

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Water rights would be purchased from growers wishing to retire
marginally prOductive lands. Water normally allotted to the
retired lands would be used as substitute water. potentially,
the amount of water available for substitution greatly exceeds
the 116,000 acre-feet that are needed. For the purposes of this
study, only lands located downstream from Davis Dam would be
considered. Significant institutional problems relating to the
"Law of the River" may hamper this plan. The cost of a water
right is assumed to be $1,000 per acre-foot based on the average
cost of water rights purchased by several municipalities in the
central Arizona area.

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Advantages:
.Low cost.

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Disadvantages:
.Water rights may not be granted.

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