Laserfiche WebLink
<br />D R AFT <br /> <br />2. Additional hydropower generation at existing powerplants. <br />More water may also improve feasibility of new units at existing <br />dams. <br /> <br />3. Salinity and water quality improvements by dilution, especially <br />in the lower reaches of the Colorado River. <br /> <br />4. Environmental and recreational benefits due to more water for <br />sustaining minimum-desired flows and lake levels. <br /> <br />5. Water to help fill new agricultural, municipal, and industrial <br />demands due to growing population needs and energy requirements. <br /> <br />Assuming the augmentation should first meet current obligations, the <br />CRSS model study estimated the Upper Basin augmentation would produce <br />an $8.5 million annual economic gain from increased hydroelectric <br />generation and capacity caused by additional water through the <br />turbines and increased average hydraulic head. Salinity reductions <br />estimated at Imperial Dam averaged about 52 p/m for a benefit of <br />about $12 million annually. After meeting current obligations, about <br />300,000 acre-feet per year were indicated as available for the new <br />uses. Assuming the water for new uses would have an average value of <br />about $30 per acre-foot, a further $9 million annual benefit was <br />determined. Shortages for new users would still be experienced in <br />the Basin during the assumed study period of the cloud seeding <br />program. Environmental and recreational benefits were not estimated <br />in this preliminary study. <br /> <br />20 <br />