WSP08256

• File Number: 8272.100.60
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 10/1/2002
• Author: CRBSCF
• Title: 2002 Review - Water Quality Standards for Salinity - Colorado River System
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Uinta Basin (Reclamation and USDA); The area covered by the Uinta Basin Unit in
northeastern Utah contributes about 450,000 tons of salt annually to the Colorado River. Return
flows from 204,000 acres of irrigated land account for most of the salt contribution. Projects in this
area may apply under Reclamation's new Basinwide Salinity Control Program. Several projects
within the unit area are nearing completion and additional proposals are under consideration at this
time.

USDA published the Uinta Basin Salinity plan in 1970, and in 1987 prepared a supplement
to include lateral systems. In 1991, the Uinta Basin Unit was expanded to include treatment on
adjacent irrigated land. The plan identifies a salt load reduction goal of 1 06,000 tons annually based
on a projected treatment rate of 84 percent of the irrigated acres in the project area. In fact,
participation has exceeded expectations. Consequently, USDA intends to continue implementing
measures that are cost-effective. The USDA program includes the installation of on-farm salinity
reduction practices and lining or piping lateral systems. The m~or emphasis is conversion of
inefficient surface irrigation to sprinkler systems. Implementation was initiated in 1980 under
existing USDA authorities, and in 1987 funding became available from the Colorado River Salinity
Control Program and is continuing under EQIP.

Lower Gunnison Basin (Reclamation and USDA): The Lower Guunison Basin Unit is
located in west-central Colorado. An estimated 360,000 tons of salt are contributed annually to the
Colorado River. P.L. 98-569 authorized portions of the unit for construction by Reclamation.
Construction of the winter water portion of the unit is designed to eliminate ditch seepage during the
non-irrigation season by providing a piped delivery system for livestock water. This component was
completed in 1996 and is estimated to reduce salt loading by 41,400 tons per year. Studies on ways
to reduce costs of the canal and lateral lining portion of the project have been completed. These
measures would potentially reduce salt loading by an additional 64,000 tons per year and may apply
for funding under Reclamation's new Basinwide Program. A joint selenium/salinity control
demonstration project at Montrose Arroyo, has been completed and proven effective based on
monitoring by the USGS.

The Lower GuunisonBasin USDA plan, updated in 1994, identifies a salt load reduction goal
of166,000 tons. The USDA program includes the application of on-farm salinity reduction practices
and improving off-farm irrigation laterals. Implementation was initiated in 1988 and is continuing
under EQIP.

Big Sandv River (USDA): The Big Sandy River Unit is located in southwestern Wyoming.
Below Big Sandy Reservoir, water is diverted to irrigate lands in the Eden Project. Irrigation
seepage into shallow aquifers near the Big Sandy River is the source. of saline seeps. These seeps
and springs below the Eden Project contribute about 116,000 tons of salt, and tributaries contribute
about 48,000 tons of salt annually to the Green River.

The USDA Big Sandy River Unit plan was published in 1988. The USDA salinity control
program consists of converting 15,700 acres of on-farm surface irrigation to low-pressure sprinkler

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