For approximately 15 years, GVIC has received Federal grants to assist in lining portions of the canal system through the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program to reduce salt loading in the Colorado River.

In the Fall of 2023, GVIC continued this work by lining a section of the Highline canal near the Bookcliff Gardens Nursery. This section lies south of the interstate between Leach Creek and G 1/2 Road and is 1,424 feet in length. The lining process consists of a 30 mil PVC membrane with a 3 1/2″ shotcrete layer to protect and hold the liner in place.

Canal lining for this section has been completed.

The project provides a number of benefits to the shareholders, virtually eliminating the seepage of water out of the canal and preventing ground salts from entering the canal.

Over the following two winters starting November 1, 2023 and continuing through April 2025, the Grand Valley Irrigation Company will be piping the concrete, trapezoidal ditch near 1st Street and Patterson Road. The project area extends from the northeast corner of Westlake Park to the south end of Knollwood Drive. It will be piped with 24-inch PVC pipe for most of its length. The pipe for the first half of this project has been installed, and construction will resume in November 2024.

This improvement will be of significant benefit to the shareholders, as it will provide water with less debris and will inhibit the deposition of silt.