The uncompahgre project, which is operated and maintained by uncompahgre valley water users association (uvwua), is a federal development constructed in the early 1900's for irrigation of…

The uncompahgre project, which is operated and maintained by uncompahgre valley water users association (uvwua), is a federal development constructed in the early 1900's for irrigation of approximately 76,300 acres. Approximately 34 percent of the total 76,300 acres consist of soils formed on and from the mancos formation, a thick stratum of marine shale. These soils, referred to locally as 'adobe soils', are naturally high in salt and selenium content. This area is in the portion of the lower gunnison basin east of the uncompahgre river and south of the gunnison river. The project is located in montrose and delta counties, between the cities of montrose and delta, colorado. The uvwua will replace approximately 19.2 miles of existing unlined earthen irrigation laterals in the uncompahgre project's east and selig canal systems with 21.22 miles of buried pipe. Construction under this agreement will involve replacement of facilities operated and maintained by uvwua and will be performed by or under the direction of uvwua with technical assistance and program oversight provided by reclamation. R20AC00019