Empirical Application of a Model for Estimating the Recreation Value of Water in Reservoirs Compared to Instream Flow

摘要

Analysis was made of water value used for coldwater fishing at high mountain reservoirs/rivers located in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, which will contribute to an economic assessment of the tradeoff between providing recreational opportunities at high mountain reservoirs (HMR) and maintaining instream flow for river recreation use. Representative numbers (130) of fishermen were interviewed during the summer of 1978 at six sites. Willingness to pay was found to be contingent on changes in congestion and water level. Economic benefit functions were adjusted for crowinding, water level, access, participants' characteristics, and management costs.