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"""""0"0 I') '.j t3 d . U . . . . . . . . . . . occur on the smaller tributaries, but do not affect the overall river depletions appreciably. The annual stream depletions is estimated to be 7,ZOO acre-feet. Because most of the itTigated land within the basin is located adjacent to the Navajo River or its tributaries, it was estimated that groundwater return flows from irrigation return to the stream system within one month and monthly irriga- tion depletions are approximately equal to the monthly potential consumptive use of irrigation water. Transbasin diversions from the Navajo River basin to the Rio Grande basin by the San Juan-Chama Project have averaged almost 51,000 acre-feet per year from the beginning of project operations in 1971 through 1980. Of these diversions, approximately 4,ZOO acre-feet per year were diverted frqm the Little Navajo River at the Little Oso 'Diversion and 46,700 acre-feet per year were diverted from the Navajo River at the Oso Diversion. Dulce Lake on Dulce Creek in New Mexico is used primarily for recreation with minor uses of reservoir water for itTigation. According to personnel at the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the lake level only fluctuates a minor amount due to irrigation releases. Evaporation from the 91 acre surface area at Dulce Lake is the major depletion, estimated to average Z60 acre-feet per year. Total stream depletions in the Navajo River basin have averaged 24,400 acre-feet per year during the study period. A monthly summary of the estimated river depletion, including irrigation depletion, trans basin diversions, and reservoir evaporation is presented in Appendix E. Depletion Study for the San Juan River Downstream of Navajo River and Up- stream of Navajo Reservoir The itTigated land in the, San Juan River basin downstream from the confluence with the Navajo River and upstream from Navajo Reservoir totals about ZIS acres. The predominant crop grown is meadow grass. Essentially -24- ,j, "..,