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. " , 000224 However, without regulation serious shortages could result ,~ in late season diversion requirements. The 1955 report on the Navajo Project contains estimates of return flows from the proposed new uses which indicate that the returns would occur in sufficient amounts and at times which would permit supplying the ideal diversion schedules of the four ditches. The location, quantity and monthly distribution of these possible return flows are presently indeterminate to some degree in all; cases. Data relative to those return flows which may result from diver~ sions to the proposed Navajo Indian Project are the most highly con- jectural. A study was made by the committee based on estimates of amounts and monthly distribution of return flows contained in the let- ters of the New Mexico State Engineer and the Navajo Project report. The study disclosed that, even if these return flow estimates are reasonably accurate for uses other than the Navajo Project, material shortages would result if the expected return flows from that proj- ect fail to materialize. These shortages in the ideal monthly diver- sion requirements of the four ditches would occur in all except a few years of the study period having exceptionally high late season run- off. They would average about 11 percent and could be as much as 20 to 30 percent in the drier years of the period. It is recognized that some return flow water will be avail- able at the headgates of the four ditches on the San Juan below the mouth of the Animas. The committee feels, however, that some by.pass of water at the Navajo Dam will be required for these prior rights. ,il '~_ "-';-. ~:...... 1. 'f I. :'>;- -. ~ :,. ___:._:__;o:_"c_,/!J ,",'~-",.K~~."'/'.' '. -19-