WSP00944

• File Number: 8407
• Description: Platte River Basin - River Basin General Publications
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 3/1/1982
• Author: Arthur D Little Inc
• Title: Six State High Plains-Ogallala Aquifer Regional Resources Study - Study Element B-3 - Agricultural and Water Use Management and Technology Assessment
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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alternative management strategies.* The results of the B-3 studies have been
used extensively in the state assessments of the Baseline and Management
Strategies One and Two (MS-l and MS-2).

In relation to the selection of specific agricultural and water manage-
ment and technological practices by the individual states for their assess-
ment of alternative management strategies, there is no consistent or uniform
set of practices with equal relevance to all states, crops, climatic or
cultural conditions. A unique set was selected for each state or sub-state
area, by major cropping system or other control factor (soils, topography,
water supply, etc). Although the management/technologic practices themselves
are highly specific to local controlling factors, the relative effectiveness
(impacts) of each practice on such variables as water use rates, costs, crop
yields and associated input requirements is reasonably consistent from state
to state and was used to provide comparability and regional consistency in
state analysis.

In-state sources of informed judgment, knowledgeable about local
cropping practices, climatic conditions, soil characteristics and other
constraining factors helped make the initial selection of practices or tech-
nologies considered most relevant and practical for achieving objective
levels of reduced unit water demand and/or conservation, for each state and
sub-state area. These selections were made in consultation with the General
Contractor, and then quantified to establish consistent values for changes
or effects in water use rates and other production requirements, crop yield
effects, or other significant variables. Qualified state practitioners and
researchers insured that values established for selected practices were con-
sistent with their own state's findings and results. Although there were
differences in effects or costs of practices from state to state, a reason-
able range for such changes was established to provide regional consistency
to the ana lys is.

The characteristics and estimated effects of practices, as
following sections, were used to promote regional consistency.

outlined in
Of necess ity,

* See Appendi x "A".

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