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M~257 . CHAPTER IV IMPROVEMENT AND EXTENSION to exist for importation of any significant quantities of water iRto the basin. Recent filings for water rights for the exportation of large quantities of high quality water from the headwater areas of the basin, however, if developed, could result in materially con- centrating the dissolved solid content of waters in the lower reaches of the river. Lining of the Uncompahgre Project canals and laterals and adopting the provision of the improvement plan for the cessation of winter diversions would result in reducing the soluble salt content of flows draining from the area by an estimated 120,000 tons annually. This estimate does not include any reduction in the dissolving of soluble salts due to reduction of excess farm deliveries and possible future increases in efficiencies of applying irrigation water. Reduction of salt loading within the project irrigated land area would be beneficial to the lower project 'lands utilizing return flows from higher lands as a large portion of their supply, but the reduction would primarily benefit downstream areas. . Impoundment of water in Dominguez Lake would result in mixing of high quality flows of the Gunnison River during spring snowmelt periods with the lower quality river flowa during other periods of the year. The mixing would result in the quality of water released from the reservoir being more uniform during the year with quality reduction during the spring period and quality increases during the remainder of the year. The principal present use of Gunnison River water below the Dominguez Damsite is by a small hydro-electric powerplant and irrigation of lands in the Redlands area west of Grand Junction. The improved quality pattern should have a negligible effect on the powerplant operation but should prove beneficial co the irrigation use and future municipal and domestic needs in this area. Water Savings and Depletions It is estimated that lining of project canals and laterals would result in reducing conveyance losses by about 60,000 acre-feet annually. This reduction would allow the irrigation water users to reduce their diversions during periods when present diversions are ample and would provide additional water supplies during peak use periods where short- ages now exist. Consumptive use of water along canal banks and adja- cent seeped areas would be reduced by aD estimated 8,200 acre-feet annually, but the consumptive use of water by crops would be increased during the peak demand periods by a substantially equal amount. Evaporation losses from Dominguez Lake and Coal Creek Reservoir are estimated to total 15,100 acre-feet annually and depletions due to municipal and industrial uses are estimated at 10,000 acre-feet annually. . 60