Economic Analysis of Critical Habitat Designation in the Colorado River Basin for the Razorback Sucker, Humpback Chub, Colorado Squawfish, and Bonytail April 1994

• Description: Economic Analysis of Critical Habitat Designation in the Colorado River Basin for the Razorback Sucker, Humpback Chub, Colorado Squawfish, and Bonytail April 1994
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 4/1/1994
• Title: Economic Analysis of Critical Habitat Designation in the Colorado River Basin for the Razorback Sucker, Humpback Chub, Colorado Squafish, and Bonytail April 1994
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

Table I -3 -1. Average Water Consumption for the Colorado River 1976 -1985
MAJOR
UPPER BASIN
LOWER BASIN
TOTAL
ACTIVITY
ACRE -FEET
ACRE -FEET
ACRE -FEET
(percent)
(percent)
(percent)
Irrigation
2,146,530
5,140,430
7,286,960
(56.2)
(44.83)
(47.68)
Transbasin
697,680
4,150,780
4,848,460
Exports
(18.27)
(36.20)
(31.72)
Reservoir
784,690
1,467,590
2,252,280
Evaporation
(20.55)
(12.8)
(14.73)
Municipal
190,080
706,340
896,420
Industrial
(4.98)
(6.16)
(5.86)
Totals
3,818,980
11,465,140
15,284,120
11 1
(24.98)
(75.02)
(100)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Consumptive Uses and Losses Report.
C. Linking the Biological Dimensions to the Economics
An essential feature of the analysis presented in this report is the linking of the biological and
physical requirements of the river system to the economic impacts that result from the
protection and recovery of the endangered fishes. The changes in the activities affecting the
Colorado River that are needed to recover the fishes must first be expressed in biological and
physical terms and then ultimately translated into economic terms. The "with fish" and
"without fish" scenarios begin with the premise that the changes in the physical nature of the
river and the changes in the economic activities in the area of the river have led to the
present circumstance of the endangered fishes. These "with fish" and "without fish"
scenarios must be constructed taking into account the fact that recovery of the species will
involve a significant period of time. .
A complete analysis of the potential impacts of actions taken on behalf of the endangered
fishes requires comparing the time path of the economy in the "without fish" scenario and
that of the "with fish" scenario. The "without fish" scenario is constructed on the basis that
I -13