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. . . OIJ~232 CHAPTER 11 RESOURCES AND USES Construction of reservoirs has inundated segments of streams and stream valleys that were formerly utilized for farming, fishing and other recreational usage. The reservoirs have controlled the streams to provide water for irrigation, municipal and domestic uses, and electrical power production as well as providing other recreational opportunities. Operations of the reservoirs have affected downstream reaches of streams by reducing flood flows, removing sediment, and changing water temperatures and stream flow patterns. Many of the man-made changes stand out in the midst of the natural surroundings and materially alter the overall appearance of certain areas. Impressions of the effects of the man-made changes on esthetics of the environment vary widely with the attitudes and tastes of indi- vidual observers. The San Juan Mountains are highly photographed and many of the photographs given wide circulation include man-made features such as roads, towns, mines, lakes or reservoirs, farm or ranch build- ings, fences, domestic livestock, and irrigated pastures or fields. In their natural state, the spsrsely vegetated, lower elevation valleys are considered to be deaolate, unattractive and boring by many observers who, on the other hand, are impressed by a well developed farming com- munity laced by irrigation canals and laterals. The area bounded by irrigation canals and laterals of the Uncom- pahgre Project includes many large parcels of undeveloped lands where soils are shallow, heavy and highly saline and the sparse vegetation consists of scattered g~asewood or other low-growing, salt-resistent plants. Some of these lands were originally planned to be irrigated by the project but have since been determined to be unauitable for farming and are now considered permanently unproductive. U. S. Highway 50 trsverses such lands but the highway does not extend into the highly productive project lands situated southwest of the UnCOMpahgre River. Consequently, most casual travelers passing through the area do not have the opportunity to view the more prosperous segments of the project land area. Canal and lateral seepage losses and return flows resulting from irrigation of project lands have created numerous marshes and other areas vegetated by water-loving plants. The marsh areas create a habitat for birds and small animals but also increase water consumption and often reduce the overall attractiveness. In addition, the return flows dissolve soluble materials, mostly alkaline salts, from the soils and underlying strata and convey these materials in solution to channels drsining into the Uncompahgre and Gunnison Rivers. 35