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Show Table 7- 1 GENERAL STATUS OF WATER RIGHTS Jordan River Basin County Area Subarea General Policy Salt Lake 57 East Salt Lake Valley General • Surface water appropriations are closed • Groundwater appropriations are generally closed valley- wide except for domestic wells limited to one acre- foot per year. Mountain and canyon areas • Closed Jordan Narrows • Some additional limitations may be applied to hot and cold water sources depending upon the intended use of the water 59 West Salt Lake Valley General • Surface water appropriations are closed • Ground water appropriations are generally closed valley- wide except for domestic wells limited to one acre- foot per year Mountain and canyon areas • Closed Rose Canyon • The area is closed above Rose Canyon Irrigation Company diversion proposed use will not impair existing rights, ( 3) the proposed plan is physically and economically feasible, ( 4) the applicant has the financial ability to complete the proposed works, and ( 5) the applicant has filed in good faith and not for the purpose of speculation or monopoly. The State Engineer shall withhold action on or reject an application if it is determined it will interfere with a more beneficial use of water or prove detrimental to the public welfare or the natural resources environment. Utah water law allows changes in the point of diversion, place of use, and/ or nature of use of an existing right. To accomplish such a change, the water user must file a change application with the Division of Water Rights. The approval or rejection of a change application depends largely on whether or not the proposed change will impair other vested rights; however, compensation can be made, or conflicting rights may be acquired. Pending applications and stock in mutual water companies are considered personal property. As such they can be bought and sold in the open market. In the appropriation process, the State Engineer analyzes the available data and, in most cases, conducts a public meeting to present findings and receive input before adopting a final policy regarding future appropriation and administration of water within an area. Through regulatory authority, the State Engineer influences water management by establishing diversion limitations or duty of water ( 5.0 acre- feet per acre of irrigation in Salt Lake County) for various uses and by setting policies on water administration for surface water and groundwater supplies. The duty of water includes an allowance for reasonable distribution system and irrigation system inefficiencies. The Division of Water Rights is responsible for a number of functions which include: ( 1) Distribution of water in accordance with established water rights, ( 2) adjudication of water rights under an order of a state district court, ( 3) approval of plans and specifications for the construction of dams and inspection of existing structures for safety, ( 4) licensing and regulating the activities of water well drillers, ( 5) regulation of geothermal development, ( 6) authority to control streamflow and reservoir storage or releases during a flooding emergency, and ( 7) regulation of stream channel alterations activities. 7.3.1 Utah Lake Although Utah Lake is not located in Jordan River Basin, any discussion of management of the 7- 4 |