The public purpose of the project to reduce salinity in the colorado river system which will help prevent economic damages in the lower colorado river basin

This Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation under the Title II, Colorado River Basin Salinity Control program (CFDA 15.509) provides $5,458,900.00 in funding to the Uintah Indian Irrigation Project Operation And Maintenance Company. The project aims to reduce salinity levels in the Colorado River system, which will help prevent economic damages in the Lower Colorado River Basin. The key activities involve replacing an open, unlined irrigation canal with a pipeline system to reduce salt loading in the Bench Canal area near Fort Duchesne, Utah. The project is expected to result in an annual reduction of approximately 2,087 tons of salt at a cost-effectiveness of $70.66 per ton. The Cooperative Agreement has a performance period from May 23, 2024 to May 31, 2026.

Excess salinity that which is greater than the standard set to protect beneficial uses poses a growing threat to food production and drinking water quality. Salts increase the cost of urban drinking water and wastewater treatment, which are paid for by residents and businesses. IT is anticipated that this project will result in the annual reduction of approximately 2,087 tons of salt in the colorado river at a cost-effectiveness value of $70.66 ton selected under the salinity control program nofo. The project is located in the area of bottle hollow reservoir near FT. Duchesne, utah. The bench canal receives water from the uinta river and flows south approximately fifteen miles serving 5,494 acres of class i land. Water is diverted to the canal from april 1 to october 31. The canal is organized into thirteen divisions. This project shall treat the area in the bottom three divisions (11, 12, and 13). The bench canal is an open, unlined canal running from its diversion in the uinta river, which is a tributary to the duchesne and green rivers. The green river empties into the colorado river. Nearly the entire canal is located on top of a rocky bench with extreme water loss. The land served that is still flood irrigated is primarily pastureland. Some sprinkler irrigation systems (400-500 acres) have been installed with associated settling ponds and pumping for production of alfalfa, small grain, and corn in addition to pasture. The earthen canal will be replaced with irrigation delivery pipeline.