Conservation opportunities for securing in-stream flows in the Platte River Basin: a case study drawing on Casper, Wyoming's municipal water strategy.
The Platte River Basin consists of tributaries largely in Wyoming, Colorado and Western Nebraska, with the main stem in Central Nebraska. Critical wildlife habitat on the main stem requires additional in-stream flows. The watershed is one hosting multiple resources, a variety of users, and managed by an array of state and federal agencies. This study proposes a basis for securing in-stream flows for the Platte River. Candidate water supply mechanisms are suggested based on the way in which Casper, Wyoming secured water for its municipal needs. Canal lining is compared to a dam project, increasing reservoir storage, and purchasing water rights, with consideration also made for water pricing to reduce municipal use. Comparisons are based on economic efficiency, potential water conservation, and property rights criteria. Canal lining, coupled with demand management, is shown to conserve water best, given the set of efficiency and cost criteria for in-stream flow enhancement. The approach offers an opportunity to organize the water supply choice context in a transboundary watershed when quantitative information is limited.
Waller
Aaron
A
Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, University of Wyoming, Department 3354, 1000 East University Avenue, Laramie, Wyoming 82071, USA.
Mcleod
Donald
D
Taylor
David
D
D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D002947:Cities; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D006801:Humans; D045483:Rivers; D014881:Water Supply / Q000191:economics; D014959:Wyoming