WSP13035

• File Number: 8280.10
• Description: CREST - Colorado Riever Enhancement Snowpack Test
• State: CO
• Author: Robert Broadbent, BOR Commissioner
• Title: Augmentation of the Colorado River Through Weather Modification
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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using an average value of $450,000 for each milligram per
liter reduction in dissolved solids at Imperial Dam, and
$10.5 million from water supplies to reduce deficits and for
new uses.

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Additional benefits would be realized from the increased
water supply in the Lower ~asin from seeding in the Mogollon
Rim area in Arizona and New Mexico and from additional water
supp]i~s prorluced in adjdc~nt basins. for planning purposes,
an estimated value of $50 per acre-foot was used for the
298,000 acre-feet of augmentation from the Mogollon Rim and
$25 per acre-foot for the 533,000 acre-feet of increase in
the adjacent basins. Therefore, total benefits are assumed
to be $109 million annually. It is estimated that the entire
cost of an 8-year demonstration program is less than the
benefits from one year of basinwide operations.

IV. Financial Arrangements
Increased water supplies will be required soon in the
Colorado River Basin because of rapidly expanding population
and industrial requirements, environmental and recreational
needs. and demand for increased hydroelectric power generation.
In addition, the Mexican Water Treaty of 1944 constitutes a
national ,obligation to provide 1.5 million acre-feet of
water annually to Mexico.

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