THE EFFECTS OF WATER RIGHTS AND IRRIGATION TECHNOLOGY ON STREAMFLOW AUGMENTATION COST IN THE SNAKE RIVER BASIN

Three species of salmon in the Snake River Basin have been listed as e ndangered. Recovery efforts for these fish include attempts to obtain increased quantities of water during smelt migration periods to improv e habitat in the lower basin. Agriculture is the dominant user of surf ace flows in this region. This study investigates farmer cost of a con tingent water contract requiring the agricultural release of stored ir rigation supplies in low flow years during critical flow periods. Resu lts show that contingent contracts can provide substantial quantities of water at a relatively modest cost without significantly affecting t he agricultural base of the area.