Assessing Stakeholders' Perceptions of Water Sharing Arrangements in the South Platte River Basin
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Authors
Rego, Jesse Jo
Issue Date
2023
Type
Thesis
Language
Keywords
Climate Adaptation , Urban Water Resources , Water Markets
Alternative Title
Abstract
In snow-dependent river basins in the arid western US, irrigated agriculture accounts formost freshwater withdrawals, though rapid population growth is increasing urban water demand. In response to these trends, as well as to prolonged drought and aridification of the region, water markets have emerged to transfer water from agricultural to municipal use. Farms and rural areas may face adverse economic and social repercussions from permanent transfers, however. As an adaptation to these water markets, some areas are developing Water Sharing Arrangements (WSAs), which allow agricultural water users to transfer water intermittently or temporarily to non-agricultural uses while maintaining their water rights. This study uses semi-structured interviews with stakeholders representing competing water uses in the South Platte River Basin in Colorado to assess if and how WSAs can contribute to meeting both agricultural and urban water needs and where improvements can be made. Results suggest that, regardless of water use sector, stakeholders agree that WSAs can enhance opportunities to retain lands for agricultural production while supporting urban development. Further, stakeholders discussed concerns regarding the water court process for WSAs, and suggested more protection for water rights holders against the tenets of Prior Appropriation would ease apprehension. Stakeholders also advocated for increased collaboration and creativity of lease terms to encourage WSA participation. WSAs with these design features may improve overall water use efficiency while avoiding net economic losses, preventing the kinds of negative cultural and ecological impacts that typify buy-and-dry scenarios. These results contribute to extant literature on Prior Appropriation-based water markets by highlighting stakeholder preferences that can inform the development and use of WSAs.