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,... ~ . . decrease in the average length of time from filing to status dates is observed over the study period. This observation must be tempered by the fact that recent years retain more files yet unapproved. As these unapproved applications are decided upon, the average length of time between filing and status dates will increase. Any correlation between the number-of applications and time involved is not significant without a knowledge as to the final status and time involved of the yet unapproved files. ': Exchan~e Acclications Number of exchan~e aDDlications filed The number of exchange applications filed per year since 1980 has remained quite steady with the exception of 1981. In that year the number of exchanges filed nearly tripled over those of the previous number. According to Jim Riley, the Area Engineer over area 35, the dramatic increase in the number of exchange applications filed during 1981 is due primarily to increased development within the area. He notes particular growth in the vicinity of Park City, Snyderville, and Jeremy Ranch (Riley, 1988). Exchanges, unlike changes, have not occurred statewide over the past few years. Figure 4 identifies the areas of the State where exchanges have occurred since 1980. Table 7 illustrates the distribution of exchange files in terms of location and time of filing. 713 of the 874 total exchanges filed during this period occurred in Area 35 which pertains to the Ogden\Weber River Area. This situation is due primarily to the extreme limitation that exists in portions of Area 35 on new appropriations and changes of existing water rights coupled with rather high population growth and consequent demands for water. Status of the aDDlications Table 8 lists the status of the exchange applications filed by area through the end of 1987. As with the change files, a number of the files unapproved when the data were gathered could be either approved or rejected by the time this manuscript reaches publication. Based upon the available data, an exchange application filed during the period 1980-l987 has a 9.0% chance of being unapproved, and a 4.6% chance of being rejected or withdrawn by the end of 1987. Ouantitv of water Exchange records generally involve volumes of water rather than flow rights measured in cfs. This distribution is best seen in Table 9, which also "illustrates the time difference between filing and status of the water right application. The bulk of the exchanges involve one acre foot of water. The primary user of exchange water is the homeowner who intends to utilize the water for domestic and small irrigation purposes. A number of large exchanges have been filed with the State Engineer. These pertain primarily to conservancy and irrigation districts. Of those exchange applications which involve more than 500 AF of water, 60% are yet unapproved. Applications involving less than 500 AF have an 8% unapproval rate as of the end of 1987. Time from filin~ to status As mentioned earlier, Table 9 portrays a distribution of time between the filing of the exchange application and the status of the water right as a function of the quantity of water involved in the application. The trend appears to be quite uniform, with some extension of time occurring where larger blocks of water are involved. The relationship between the quantity of water involved 3