Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Treatment Opportunities for Erosion Problems <br /> <br />Most of the sediment load comes from channel erosion, However, a <br />channel treatment program is not economically feasible. Improved irri- <br />gation water management can reduce erosion on the irrigated lands and <br />provide an average annual salt reduction of seven tons to Lake Mead. <br />The annual value of downstream economic benefits from a reduction in <br />salt load due to erosion control is estimated to be only $350, <br /> <br />Improved irrigation water management would reduce sediment deposited <br />on irrigated fields, This would reduce maintanence costs for leveling of <br />fields and cleaning of delivery ditches. The estimated savings in main- <br />tenance is $400 annually, <br /> <br />A number of Federal programs have been used to reduce soil erosion <br />and sedimentation problems, USDA agencies, including SCS, ASCS, SEA <br />and FmHA provide technical assistance, cost sharing and credit assistance <br />through their ongoing programs in the area, These programs are being <br />carried out cooperatively with state and local organizations such as <br />conservation districts, through the efforts of landowners and operators, <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />This subevaluation unit is within the Clark County Conservation <br />District, Nevada, Littlefield-Hurricane Natural Resources Conservation <br />District, Arizona, and Dixie Conservation District, Utah. These local <br />units of state government have carried out active water and related land <br />resource improvement programs for many years. However, present programs <br />will require acceleration to meet technical and cost-share assistance <br />requirements of reducing the salt loading to Colorado River. <br /> <br />~ <br />~ <br /> <br />Problems and Needs Associated with Water Resource <br /> <br />Analysis of present irrigation water application practices indicates <br />that crops do not always receive a full water supply in the ~1esquite- <br />Bunkerville-Riverside area, Periodic field measurements should be <br />made to determine soil moisture conditions in the root zone. Adequate <br />i~rigation water should be applied to meet crop needs throughout the <br />growing sesson, . <br /> <br />There are no potential sources of additional water for Virgin Valley, <br />However, there is potential for improved use of existing water supply for <br />agriculture. The present average irrigation gross diversion of nearly <br />12 feet-per-acre can be nearly cut in half. Therefore, more efficient use <br />of the available water supply can satisfy some irrigation deficiencies. <br />(See Alternative Plans section), <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />Principal water-supported recreational opportunities in the area are <br />those provided by Lake Mead National Recreation Area and the State of <br />Nevada, Department of Wildlife, Overton Wildlife Management Area located <br />near the mouth of Muddy River. <br /> <br />00G284 <br /> <br />36 <br />