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<br />0006R~ <br /> <br />The amount of natural moisture already available and the <br />timing of additional rain are important and definitely <br />increase or aecrease these early estimates. More rain is <br />not always beneficial or wanted. Range of annual direct <br />agricultural henefits is generally: <br />$0.05 to $0.20 per acre for undeveloped grazing land <br />$1.00 to $5.00 per acre for cropland <br /> <br />Municipal water supplies are critically short for many <br />localities because inflow to reservoirs generally occurs only <br />from the larger storms or during above-normal precipitation <br />periods. Increased streamflow to city water supply reser- <br />voirs in the region is generally valued at about $10 to <br />$30 an acre-foot. Streamflow augmentation also enhances <br />the dilution potential for controlling pollution and can <br />provide additional water-based recreation and fishery- <br />wildlife benefits for an arid area. <br /> <br />The conservative estimate of immediate benefit for a typical <br />Plains State is over $20 million yearly and at least $250 <br />million annually for the region. Including the municipal, <br />recreational, and environmental enhancement benefits will <br />substantially increase this agriculturally based estimate. <br />Other important benefits to be realized include groundwater <br />recharge, irrigation supplements, fire suppression, and <br />hydroelectric power increases. <br /> <br />17 <br />