A GAMING EVALUATION OF COLORADO-RIVER DROUGHT MANAGEMENT INSTITUTIONAL OPTIONS

Researchers representing each of the Colorado River Basin states as we ll as the Secretary of the Interior were presented with an interactive computer simulation of a progressively increasing drought and were gi ven the collective opportunity to change the ways in which basin-wide and within-state water management were conducted. The purpose of this ''gaming'' exercise was to identify rules for managing the Colorado Ri ver which are effective in preventing drought-caused damages to basin water users. This water management game was conducted three times, var ying the collective choice rules for management of the river yet stayi ng substantially within the current institution for management of the Colorado River known as the ''Law of the River.'' The Law of the River was quite effective in minimizing drought impacts upon consumptive wa ter uses. Additional effective drought-coping measures to protect cons umptive uses consisted mostly of intrastate water management improveme nts which states were able to implement independently. The Law of the River did not protect non-consumptive water uses, such as hydroelectri c power generation, water-based recreation, endangered species, and wa ter quality from drought, as well as it protected consumptive water us es. Players reached collective choice decisions to cope with rising sa linity, equalize storage between the upper and lower basins, and prote ct endangered species. While these measures had some success, only red uctions in withdrawals for consumptive uses, particularly in the upper basin, could have substantially lessened adverse impacts.