We are fortunate to live at the headwaters of the Colorado River. Our location and senior water rights provide many agricultural water users with a relatively abundant supply of clean water. While junior and downstream users certainly benefit from water conservation measures, efficient water use also benefits senior water rights holders. Piping irrigation canals can provide advantages such as:
- Longer irrigation season,
- More water delivered in dry years,
- Less ditch maintenance,
- Reduction of pumping costs for pressurized systems,
- Increased yields with more efficient on-farm systems,
- Options to avoid buy-and-dry to meet growing water demands.
Our complex irrigation systems were built a century ago with a huge amount of hard work and cooperation. Funding programs available now can help you build an irrigation system that sustains agriculture in the Lower Gunnison Basin well into the future. Contact the Lower Gunnison Basin Salinity Coordinator.
Off-Farm Projects
- Basinwide Program
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Federal Bureau of Reclamation funds for controlling salinity in the Colorado River are offered through a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) around every 3 years. Applications are ranked, and the most cost-effective projects receive funding.
- 100% project funding for ditch improvements in high salinity areas,
- $6 million maximum per project,
- $50-60 per ton of salt avoided,
- Priority for combining ditches, pressurized systems, on-farm improvement interest
This is the program that funds most major ditch piping projects. Smaller lateral improvement projects can apply to the Basinwide Program and may be fully funded through the Basin States Program.
- Basinwide Application Assistance
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The State of Colorado, Water Resources Division offers grants to ditch companies to help pay for engineering consultant fees charged to prepare applications for the Basinwide FOA program.
Steve Miller (303) 866-3441 x3228
- WaterSMART Grants
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Every October, the Bureau of Reclamation offers funds for water and energy efficiency projects including irrigation system improvements and hydropower systems. Applications are due in January.
- $19 million awarded in 2015
- 50% cost-share
- $1 million max per project
- Colorado River Water Conservation District Grants
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Funds are available through the CRWCD Grant program for water efficiency projects.
- 25% of project cost covered,
- $150,000 max grant,
- Total of $250,000 available annually
- Applications are due Jan 30.
- Gunnison Basin Round Table WSRA Grants
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Colorado Water Supply Reserve Account funds are available through the Gunnison Basin Round Table. Applications are accepted throughout the year for the Basin account funds.
Additional grant funds are available from the Colorado Water Conservation Board’s statewide WSRA fund. Applications are submitted to the Gunnison Basin Round Table, then forwarded to the Conservation Board for consideration. Applications to the state fund are due March 1st and August 1st, so must be submitted to the GB Round Table at least a month prior.
- Wide range of water projects eligible,
- $2 million basin funds available annually,
- Incorporation is not required for basin funds
- $10 million statewide funds are available annually.
- Colorado Water Project Loans
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Colorado Water Conservation Board also offers low-interest loans for water projects including irrigation system improvements and hydropower. These loans can be combined with grants to make a project grant application more competitive. A feasibility study is required with the application. Requests for more than $10 million are due August 1. Loan requests of less than $10 million can be submitted throughout the year.
On-Farm Projects
- NRCS-EQIP Program
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Funding for a variety of on-farm or near-farm irrigation system improvements and other conservation practices is available through the Natural Resources Conservation Service-Environmental Quality Improvement Program.
- Land must have been irrigated 2 of previous 5 years,
- Applicant must produce at least $1000 of an agricultural commodity,
- Also funds ditch improvements for small groups of landowners,
- Cost-share incentive (% varies).
More info and applications are available at Delta and Montrose USDA Service Centers.
Delta NRCS: (970) 874-5726
Montrose NRCS: (970) 249-8407 - Basin States Program
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Bureau of Reclamation salinity control funds is available to individuals or groups that are not eligible for the NRCS-EQIP program.
- Cost-share incentive (% varies) for any NRCS approved conservation practice,
- Both on-farm & off-farm projects,
- $150 per ton of salt avoided cap.
Apply for this program through the local NRCS-Conservation District office.