unintended consequences due to salinity management – example from the lower colorado river
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Unintended Consequences due to Salinity Management – Example from the Lower
Colorado River
Multi-State Salinity Coalition2012 Annual Conference
January 25, 2012
Chuck CullomColorado River Programs Manager
Colorado River Basin
• Study Structure and Schedule
• Summary of Key Activities
• Upcoming Meetings• Further Discussion,
Follow-up
Complex River System 10 major reservoirs
14.7 maf Av. Supply 34 million people 4 million irrigated acres Salt load long-term
concern to users
Distribution of Flow and Salt Load
Salinity increases downstream
Natural sources Springs Tributaries Evaporation
Ag runoff M&I discharges
Lower Colorado River System
Lower Colorado River Key Facilities
• Study Structure and Schedule
• Summary of Key Activities
• Upcoming Meetings• Further Discussion,
Follow-up
Imperial Dam Point of diversion for 5 maf/yr
Morelos Dam Point of delivery for Mexico - 1.5
maf/af Yuma Desalting Plant Cienega de Santa Clara
Significant wetland in Mexico relying on US drainage water
Salinity History in the Lower Colorado River
Lower Colorado River Salinity Requirements
• Study Structure and Schedule
• Summary of Key Activities
• Upcoming Meetings• Further Discussion,
Follow-up
Numeric Criteria Hoover – 723 ppm Parker – 747 ppm Imperial – 879 ppm
International Water Treaty Delivery point = Morelos Dam Salinity Differential Imperial Dam + 115 ppm +/- 30
ppm
Sources of Water for Delivery to Mexico
Colorado River Water Natural drainage Ag drainage
Pumped Drains
MAXIMIZE Efficient Water Management + MEET Treaty Requirements
Yuma Area Return Flows ~80% CR Water ~20% Drainage Linkage between
Surface flows Drainage Pumping
Yuma Area Salinity Management +
Accounting
Alternatives
What do we already know?• YDP operated at 30% capacity from May 3, 2010 to March 26,
2011• YDP operations diverted flow away from Bypass Drain/Ciénega• YDP operations added brine to Bypass Drain• 30,000 acre-feet of “arranged water” added to Bypass
Drain/Ciénegain 18 month period from Oct 29, 2009 until April 28, 2011
• Magnitude 7.0 earthquake, April 4, 2010• Extensive fire, March 23-25, 2011 There are no
simple experiments in
nature
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