WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH GRANT PROPOSAL
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH GRANT PROPOSAL
Project ID: 2002CO6B
Title: Evaluating Strategies to Mitigate Waterlogging and Salinization in Colorado's Lower Arkansas River Valley, Phase 3
Project Type: Research
Focus Categories: Water Quality, Groundwater, Agriculture
Keywords: Salinity, Saline soils, Drainage, Water quality, Groundwater quality, Groundwater modeling, Surface water modeling, Decisionmaking
Start Date: 03/01/2004
End Date: 02/28/2005
Federal Funds: $17,256
Non-Federal Matching Funds: $34,513
Congressional District: 4th
Principal Investigators:
Timothy Gates
John W. Labadie
Colorado State University
Grant E. Cardon
Colorado State University
W. Marshall Frasier
Abstract
Regional-scale models, calibrated and tested using extensive field data, will be refined and applied to complete an evaluation of ways to successfully solve serious waterlogging and salinity problems across the irrigated landscape of the Lower Arkansas Valley in Colorado. Irrigation-stream-aquifer interactions predicted by the regional models will be integrated into the development of a river basin-scale model. This model will be designed to explore options for river operation that will facilitate implementation of the best regional-scale strategies while complying with water rights and Arkansas River Compact requirements. The aim is to provide reliable computational tools to promote better management of the land and water resources to support enhancement of the river environment and revitalization of agricultural communities.