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Selected effects of additional irrigation in the Columbia Basin : a multiregional interindustry analysis

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Title Selected effects of additional irrigation in the Columbia Basin : a multiregional interindustry analysis
Names Wilkins, John Russell (creator)
Muckleston, Keith W. (advisor)
Date Issued 1979-02 (iso8601)
Note Graduation date: 1979
Abstract Increasing demands for water related services of the Columbia River and
its tributaries create conflicts between users During the 1970's the
conflict has centered around three major water uses - irrigation, hydroelectric
power generation, and fisheries. This study analyzes some of
the tradeoffs between upstream depletion of water for irrigation and
downstream use of the water for production of aluminum, which depends on
large blocks of inexpensive hydroelectric energy The economic value of
two projected increments of irrigated crops in 1985 and the consequent
losses of economic value from less aluminum output due to reduced
hydroelectric generation are analyzed in a 1985 multiregional inputoutput
model of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho The analysis also estimates
direct and indirect changes in output and employment by industry,
State, and for the region.
Results indicate that the 1985 incremental value of crop output from
additional irrigation overshadows output losses in the regional aluminum
industry For each additional dollar of crop production and processing,
4-7 cents are lost n regional aluminum and related output. Neither the
crop production increases nor the aluminum production losses are large
compared to the projected 1985 regional economy. However, the production
changes are significant within each industry and probably would have
considerable impact in localities with new irrigated lands or where
aluminum production is significant. Indirect or support output in
trade, services, transportation machinery, food processing, manufacture,
and electric utilities are most affected by future irrigated crop
output increases and aluminum output decreases Despite the largest
aluminum output reductions, most of the effects occur in Washington,
followed by Idaho and then Oregon.
Genre Thesis
Topic Irrigation -- Economic aspects
Identifier http://hdl.handle.net/1957/9686

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