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<br />- 16 - <br /> <br />The operator contacts and other studies indicated that <br />watershed needs were: (1) accelerated application .of land treat- <br />ment measures, (2) floodwater and sediment damage reduction, <br />(3) reduction of interruption of irrigation services by the <br />replacement of old deteriorated structures and by flood damage <br />reduction, (4) new irrigation structures to provide better measure- <br />ment and distribution of water, (5) improved water management, and <br />(6) availability of low-cost financing for :needed structural <br />measures. <br /> <br />Working'within the limits imposed by the water supply situation <br />and the objectives desired by the sponsors, a project was formulated <br />in which the primary benefits would exceed project costs. Primary <br />benefits considered for project feasibility were those of increased <br />local and rural area benefits from the increased farm incomes and <br />the stabilization of the ranching economy resulting from the pro- <br />posed land treatment program, reduction of floodwater and sediment <br />damage to public and private lands, the water made available for <br />other uses from the higher efficiency of a rehabilitated canal <br />systeIll, and a better program of distribution and application of <br />water to the land. <br /> <br />Two principal areas subject to floodwater and sediment damage <br />will have protection froIll damages caused by runoff originating <br />above the irrigated lands from all storm events up to the 25-year <br />frequency. This is to be accomplished by the combined program of <br />the application of land treatment measures on the watershed and a <br />floodwater-retarding structure located on each channel above the <br />irrigated lands. <br /> <br />The combining of the two proposed floodwater-retarding <br />structures with the new canal crossing structures would provide a <br />saving over building two separate structures adjacent to each other <br />at each channel. <br /> <br />A study of other small watersheds causing damage to irrigated <br />lands and the canal system indicates that floodwater-retarding or <br />channel structures are not feasible, but that a reduction of <br />damages cart be obtained by the application of land treatment <br />measures on both the watershed and floodplain lands, and by the <br />replacement with siphons of the deteriorated canal structures that <br />are exposed to floodwater and sediment damage, and that if damaged, <br />cause loss of irrigation services for an indefinite time. <br /> <br />The primary purpose of the rehabilitation of the canal system <br />is to assure more efficient use, operation, and management of water, <br />