- Reclamation
- Upper Colorado Basin
- Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program
- Paradox Valley Unit
Paradox Valley Unit
Aerial view of the Paradox Valley Unit
Background
The Paradox Valley Unit was constructed to assist in meeting the objectives and standards of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1948 (P.L. 80-845) and the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act of 1974, as amended and supplemented (P.L. 93-320). The Salinity Control Act authorizes the construction, operations, and maintenance of works in the Colorado River Basin to control the salinity of water delivered to users in the United States and the Republic of Mexico.
The PVU is located along the Dolores River in western Montrose County, approximately 50 miles southwest of Grand Junction, Colorado, and 10 miles east of the Colorado-Utah border. The PVU extracts naturally-occurring brine groundwater in the Paradox Valley, thereby preventing it from entering the Dolores River. Saline concentrations of this natural brine groundwater have been measured in excess of 250,000 milligrams per liter, which, prior to the PVU, added more than 205,000 tons of salt to the Dolores River annually. The Dolores River is a major tributary to the Colorado River. The PVU is designed to prevent the natural salt load from degrading the water quality of the main stem of the Colorado River.
Paradox Valley Location Map
The PVU consists of facilities to intercept shallow brine and inject it into the Leadville geologic formation via a Class V deep injection well. The PVU has been injecting brine since 1996. Approximately 100,000 tons of salt are injected annually; this correlates to about ten percent of the total salinity control in the Colorado River, making the PVU one of the most effective salinity control projects in the Colorado River Basin.
Environmental Impact Statement
Because the existing brine injection well is nearing the end of its useful life, the Bureau of Reclamation investigated alternatives for disposing of the brine. Reclamation has prepared and released a Final Environmental Impact Statement. The FEIS review period is from December 11, 2020 to January 11, 2021. Alternatives analyzed in the FEIS include a new injection well, evaporation ponds, zero liquid discharge technology, and no action.
After weighing the benefits and impacts of the alternatives analyzed in the FEIS, the Bureau of Reclamation has identified the no action alternative as the preferred alternative.
The no action alternative achieves the best balance among the various goals and objectives outlined in the FEIS, including: optimizing costs; minimizing adverse effects on the affected environment; minimizing the use of nonrenewable resources; consistency with Bureau of Land Management Resource Management Plans; and being in the best interest of the public, including considerations of health and safety.
The Paradox Valley Unit injection well will continue to operate until it becomes infeasible. New technically, environmentally and economically viable alternatives may be investigated in the future to continue salinity control at Paradox Valley.
Questions and comments can be submitted to: paradoxeis@usbr.gov
Environmental Impact Statement Documents
- Environmental Impact Statements; Notice of Availability – December 2020
- Paradox Valley Unit of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program – Final Environmental Impact Statement:
Volume 1 - Final EIS Link is to a PDF file
Volume 2 - Appendices A-D Link is to a PDF file
Volume 3 - Appendices E-J Link is to a PDF file
Volume 4 - Appendices K-M Link is to a PDF file
Volume 5 - Appendices N Link is to a PDF file - Amended Notice Extending the Comment Period for the Paradox Valley Unit of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program Draft Environmental Impact Statement
- Environmental Impact Statements; Notice of Availability – December 2019
- Peer Review and Information Quality Plan for the Paradox Valley Environmental Impact Statement Link is to a PDF file – Revised February 2019
- Supplement to January 2013 Scoping Report Paradox Valley Unit EIS Link is to a PDF file – December 2016
- Paradox Valley Unit EIS Scoping Report Link is to a PDF file – January 2013
- News Release Link is to a PDF file – September 2012
- Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Announcement of Public Scoping Meetings for Continued Operation of the Paradox Valley Unit, Montrose County, CO – September 2012
- Final Scoping Report – Paradox Evaporation Pond Pilot Study Link is to a PDF file – April 2012
Environmental Impact Statement Technical Documents
Alternative B – New Injection Well
- Paradox Valley Unit 2nd Well Design Final Report Link is to a PDF file – December 2018
- Technical Studies and Evaluations for the Second Injection Well Alternative at the Paradox Valley Unit Link is to a PDF file – September 2017
- Evidence for Far-Field Reservoir Pressurization: Report and Injection Data
- Memo – Paradox Valley Unit Second Well Site Investigation Consultant Review Board Link is to a PDF file – February 2014
- Assessment of a Potential Second Injection Well Site – Paradox Valley Unit Saline Water Disposal Project Link is to a PDF file – April 2013
- Review of Geologic Investigations and Injection Well Site Selection, Paradox Valley Unit Link is to a PDF file – November 2012
Alternative C – Evaporation Ponds
- Paradox Valley Unit Salinity Control Investigations - Hydrogen Sulfide Management 50% Design Final Report Link is to a PDF file – March 2017
- Pond Design Strategy Final Report – Pond Optimization Link is to a PDF file – February 2017
- Feasibility and Cost Analysis Findings and Recommendation Report Paradox Valley Unit Byproducts Disposal Study Link is to a PDF file – January 2017
- Pond Operational Strategy Final Report – Pond Optimization Link is to a PDF file – January 2017
- Paradox Valley Unit Salinity Control Investigations – Hydrogen Sulfide Management Bedrock, CO, Treatment Options Bench Testing Final Report Link is to a PDF file – November 2016
- Site Selection Report Pond Optimization for Paradox Valley Unit Evaporation Ponds Link is to a PDF file – August 2016
Alternative D – Zero Liquid Discharge Technology
- Zero Liquid Discharge Demonstration Project Final Report Link is to a PDF file – February 2019
- Paradox Valley Unit Brine Crystallization Technology Assessment Link is to a PDF file – September 2016
Other Paradox Valley Unit Documents
Paradox Valley Seismic Network Annual Reports
- 2019 PVSN Annual Report Link is to a PDF file
- 2018 PVSN Annual Report Link is to a PDF file
- 2017 PVSN Annual Report Link is to a PDF file
- 2016 PVSN Annual Report Link is to a PDF file
- 2015 PVSN Annual Report Link is to a PDF file
- 2014 PVSN Annual Report Link is to a PDF file
- 2013 PVSN Annual Report Link is to a PDF file
- 2012 PVSN Annual Report Link is to a PDF file
- 2011 PVSN Annual Report Link is to a PDF file
- 2010 PVSN Annual Report Link is to a PDF file
- 2009 PVSN Annual Report Link is to a PDF file
- 2008 PVSN Annual Report Link is to a PDF file
- 2007 PVSN Annual Report Link is to a PDF file
- 2006 PVSN Annual Report Link is to a PDF file
- 2005 PVSN Annual Report Link is to a PDF file
- 2004 PVSN Annual Report Link is to a PDF file
- 2003 PVSN Annual Report Link is to a PDF file
- 2002 PVSN Annual Report Link is to a PDF file
- 2001 PVSN Annual Report Link is to a PDF file
- 2000 PVSN Annual Report Link is to a PDF file
- 1999 PVSN Annual Report Link is to a PDF file
- 1998 PVSN Annual Report Link is to a PDF file
Paradox Valley Unit
Injection Data
- 2008 PVU Injection Data Link is to a XLS file
- 2007 PVU Injection Data Link is to a XLS file
- 2006 PVU Injection Data Link is to a XLS file
- 2005 PVU Injection Data Link is to a XLS file
- 2004 PVU Injection Data Link is to a XLS file
- 2003 PVU Injection Data Link is to a XLS file
- 2002 PVU Injection Data Link is to a XLS file
Published Papers
Geophysical Journal International - December 2014
Induced seismicity constraints on subsurface geological structure, Paradox Valley, Colorado
Geophysical Journal International - October 2014
Maximum magnitude estimations of induced earthquakes at Paradox Valley, Colorado, from cumulative injection volume and geometry of seismicity clusters
Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth - June 2014
Geological structure of the Paradox Valley Region, Colorado, and relationship to seismicity induced by deep well injection
Seismological Research Letters - June 2014
The 24 January 2013 ML 4.4 Earthquake near Paradox, Colorado, and Its Relation to Deep Well Injection
Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America - April 2005
Deep-Injection and Closely Monitored Induced Seismicity at Paradox Valley, Colorado
Other Documents
- Technical Memorandum 86-68330-2020-07 – Analysis of the March 4th, 2019 MW 4.5 Earthquake and Its Aftershocks Paradox Valley Unit, Colorado Link is to a PDF file - July 2020
- Paradox Valley Unit Brine Crystallization Technology Assessment Link is to a PDF file - September 2016
- Estimates of Dissolved-Solids Load of the Dolores River in the Paradox Valley Link is to a PDF file (1988 through 2009)
- The ML 4.4 Earthquake of January 24, 2013: Report and Earthquake Catalog Link is to a ZIP file
- Evidence for Far-Field Reservoir Pressurization: Report and Injection Data Link is to a ZIP file
- Considerations in Raising the Maximum Allowable Surface Injection Pressure at Paradox Valley Link is to a PDF file - November 2015
- Paradox Salinity Control Well No. 1 Permit Reauthorization Link is to a PDF file - August 2011
- Overview of PVU-Induced Seismicity (1996 - 2009) and Implications for Future Injection Operations Link is to a PDF file - December 2009
- An Axisymmetric Coupled Flow and Deformation Model... Link is to a PDF file (Roeloffs & Denlinger) - August 2009
- Summary Report for Paradox Valley Link is to a PDF file - June 2008
- Paradox Valley - Phase 3 & 4 Technical Memoranda Link is to a PDF file - June 2008
- Paradox Valley - Phase 2 Technical Memoranda Link is to a PDF file - April 2008
- Paradox Valley - Phase 1 Technical Memoranda Link is to a PDF file - February 2008
- Report of Operations Link is to a PDF file - August 2001
- Final Supplemental Definite Plan Report and Environmental Assessment Link is to a PDF file - May 1997
- Report of Evaluation of Injection Testing for Paradox Valley Injection Test No. 1 Link is to a PDF file (Envirocorp) - June 1995
- Final Geological Well Report Link is to a PDF file (Clarence Harr) - November 1988
- Area of Least Resistance to Fluid Movement and Pressure Rise Link is to a PDF file (Bremkamp & Harr) - September 1988
- Geophysical Interpretation of Seismic Data - Paradox Valley Unit Link is to a PDF file (Katz & Carroll) - July 1984
- Geophysical Interpretation - Seismic Data - Paradox Valley Unit Link is to a PDF file (Bremkamp et al.) - 1984
- OTS Analysis Report Link is to a PDF file - December 1983
- OGS Associates Report - Concerns Involving Paradox Valley Deep Disposal Well Project Link is to a PDF file - July 1983
- Williams Brothers Engineering Company Final Report Link is to a PDF file - April 1982
- Final Environmental Impact Statement Link is to a PDF file - March 1979
- Definite Plan Report Link is to a PDF file - September 1978
- Definite Plan Report Appendix A Link is to a PDF file - September 1978
- Definite Plan Report Appendix B Link is to a PDF file - September 1978
- Feasibility Study of Brine Disposal by Deep Well Injection Link is to a PDF file (Frank P. Turner) - November 1975
For more information please contact:
for questions concerning the EIS contact:
Lesley McWhirter, Chief
Environmental and Planning Group
Bureau of Reclamation
Western Colorado Area Office
445 West Gunnison Avenue, Suite 221
Grand Junction, CO 81501-5711
(970) 248-0608
lmcwhirter@usbr.gov
for questions concerning PVU operations contact:
Andy Nicholas, Facility Operations Specialist
Paradox Valley Field Office
Bureau of Reclamation
P.O. Box 20
Bedrock, CO 81411
(970) 859-7214
anicholas@usbr.gov
