WSP11154

• File Number: 8273.300
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control - Federal Agencies - USGS
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 1/1/1992
• Author: USGS
• Title: United States Geological Survey Salinity Control Accomplishments for Fiscal Year 1992
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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United states G~ological Survey
Salinity Control Accomplishments
for Fiscal Year 1992

Hydrologic- investigati ons wi th water quali ty improvement as the
primary. objective are supported more fully by both Federal and
Cooperative funds. Status of projects that may be of interest to
the Colorado River Basin Sal ini ty Control Advisory Council are
discussed below:

ARIZONA

Five projects of potential interest to Colorado River basin water-
resource planners and managers were described in last year's report
to the ~dvisory Council, These projects are ongoing and Fiscal
Year 1992 activities are discussed below, Reports from these
projects were-identified in the USGS's Fiscal Year 1991 report.

Puerco liver Project

This four-year study of the occurrence and movement of
radionuQlides and trace metals in the Little Colorado River basin
ended in FY92 pending completion of final reports. Sediment loads
and contaminant discharges to the Colorado River may be inferred
from di~charges measured at the Little Colorado River near the
Cameron; Arizona gaging station. A historical data report and two
journal artic1 es were publ ished in 1991 and 1992, respecti vel y.
Two intl!rpreti ve reports, a data report, and a non-technical
summary are expected to be approved in FY93.

Consumptive Use Project

Specific project objectives included (11 estimating the amount of
tributarY inflow between Hoover Dam and the International Boundary
wi th Mexico for use in a water budget, and suggesting ways ,of
incorporating tributary inflow in the process of accounting for
consumptive use; and (21 developing an accounting system for
consump~ive use among diverters, points of diversion, and States
adjacent to the lower Colorado River between Hoover Dam and the
International Boundary with Mexico. This project is completed, and
the rep$rt is awaiting approval.

RegulatOry Surface Project

The purpose of the Lower Colorado Regulatory Surface study is to
improve water accounting by delineating areas in which wells may
divert Colorado River water by pumping ground water. The

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