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I flows to the 15-Mile Reach. Recent improvements to major portions of the canal system, through the Colorado River Salinity Control Program, decrease the changes required to implement this proposal. While salinity control improvements have successfully reduced seepage from the system, they have not addressed canal system water management. Consequently, the GVWUA must continue historic operation patterns since salinity improvements have only replaced historic facilities and have not addressed water management efficien- cy. However, it appears with canal system improvements it would be possible for GVWUA to decrease administrative spills and either deliver more water to the Grand Valley Power Plant and ultimately to the 15-Mile Reach or when all needs are met, divert less water from the river. Those familiar with Colorado water law will recognize the legal challenges of such a proposal. In general, water no longer needed for beneficial uses within a system becomes water of the state and is available to other water users. To benefit the endangered fish, it will be necessary to prevent other users from diverting and using any water made available through increased system efficiency. Resolution to this challenge is not within the scope of the Grand Valley Water Management Study and will not be specifically addressed. Location The study area is located in the Grand Valley of Mesa County, in west-central Colorado. The communities in the project area are Palisade, Clifton, Grand Junction, Fruita, Mack and Loma. Mesa County's population is approximately 100,000, with Grand Junction being the largest urban center. Agribusiness generates $39 to $51 million annually within the county with peaches, apples, pears, cherries, hay, feed grain and onions as major crops. Grand Junction has an official elevation of 4586 feet (1398 meters). The Grand Valley Project (Refer to Fig. 1) Located in the Grand Valley, the Federally owned Grand Valley Project serves two active divisions: the Garfield Gravity Division, operated and maintained by the GVWUA under contract with the United States; and the Orchard Mesa Division, operated by the Orchard Mesa Irrigation District. Water is diverted from the Colorado River into the Government Highline Canal at the Grand Valley Diversion Dam, about 8 miles (mi.).(12.9 kilometers (km)) upstream from Palisade, Colorado. Although not part of the Grand Valley Project, water for Mesa County and Palisade Irrigation Districts is also diverted at the dam. The Garfield Gravity Division includes the Grand Valley Diversion Dam and the Government Highline Canal and lateral system. The Orchard Mesa Division includes the Colorado River siphon, the Orchard Mesa Power Canal,the Grand Valley Power Plant, the Orchard Mesa Pumping Plant and the Orchard Mesa Canal system.