WSP06466 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

11.8'J WATER RESEARCH NEWS .,2- August 15, 1983 the state. The present model has been used by Groundwater Appropriators of the South Platte, Inc. to evaluate their augmentation plans. Effective use of this model on the South Platte could be a forerunner for use iD other Colorado river basins. ,INSTITUTE ORGANIZES ~ULTIDI~CIPLINARY SOUTH ~!!~, TEA~ Dr. Norman Evans, Di~ector of the Colorado Water Resour~es Research Institute, and Dr. Neil Grigg, Professor of Civil Engineering, have organized a ~ultidiBciplinary team to analyze wat~r management problems on the South Platte and to study alternative ap~oaches for Voluntary Integrated Basinwide Wate~ Management. The project is designed to supplement the South Platte Model expansion. Team members, in addition to Evans and Grigg, are Prof. Henry Caulfield, Political Science; Dr. Robert Young, Economi~s; Dr. Hub~rt Morel-Seytoux, Civil Engineering; Dr. John Labadie, Civil Engineering; Dr. Dave McWhorter, Agricultural and Chemical Engineering; Bill Raley, Extension Water Resources Specialist (all of CSU) and Dr. Ernest ~lack, Environmental and Civil Engineering (CU). ' Funding for this project is [rom the Office of Water Policy, USDI, ~ ECONOMIST VALUES WATER FOR VARIOUS ~ ... 0'1, / 'I.? Dr. i:l ",\' entitled, Colorado", Institute. various uses Bob Young, Professor of Economics at CSU, recently completed a study "Economics of Transferring Water from Agricul ture to Alternative Uses in Completion Report #122, published by the Colorado Water Resources Research Along with his analysis he estimated the following values of water for in 1982 dollars: Water for irrigation was measured in terms of the increment of profit to the producer-wTth~rigation as compared to profit without irrigation. Local conditions such as rainfall, temperature, growing aeason and market situation have an impact so considerable variation ',is expected across the West. Statistical analysis of agriculture output estimates a value of $10-15 per acre foot in intermountain valleys, $20-25 in the desert Southwest and central California and $40-45 in the Ogallala groundwater region of the high plains. Water for corn is estimated to be $25 per acre foot in the Platte River basin. ~ ~ coolin~ steam power ~ants, was valued at a break-even point around $600 per acre foot by EPA in 1977, while a shift to a completely dry COOling system would be economical only if water were priced about $1400 per acre foot. Water for hydropower ranged frem $3.30 to $10 in mest western states and $30 in the Columbia basin. Water for household use, with a deduction for treatment, storage and delivery costs,-rs-YalUed at about $150 per acre foot for lawn watering and $250 per acre foot for in-house use; or an, average of about $220. Water for recreation values are based upon willingness to pay bids from recreat1onistS-On water in flowing streams on the Cache La Poudre River. The results were $9 per acre foot for fishing, $5 for whitewater boating and $7 for non-contact groups~ per person. One western Colorado stream showed a value or-$13 for fishing, $4 for kayaking, $9 for rafting to maintain flows at 35% maximum. Copies of the study may be obtained from the Col<:H"sdo Water Resources Research Institute, 326 Aylesworth, IIW, CSU. Fort Collies, Colorac'o 80523 (Cost is $5.00).