Private Actions and Preferences for Coordinated Groundwater Conservation in Colorado's Republican River Basin. (28th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shepler, Ryan; Suter, Jordan F.; Manning, Dale T.; Goemans, Chris
• Is Part Of: Journal of the American Water Resources Association. Volume 55:Number 3(2019)
• Page Start: 657
• Page End: 669
• Publication Date: 2019-03-28
• Subjects: groundwater conservation -- groundwater management -- contingent valuation; Water-supply -- Periodicals; Hydrology -- Periodicals; Water resources development -- Periodicals; Water resources development -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 333.9100973
• DOI: 10.1111/1752-1688.12741
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1093-474X

Abstract

Abstract: Conservation of groundwater resources is critical for maintaining the future productivity of irrigated land in the Ogallala Aquifer Region and beyond. This research explores motivations and behavior related to groundwater conservation among agricultural producers in the Colorado portion of the Republican River Basin, which is part of the Ogallala Aquifer. The empirical modeling uses data from a recently conducted survey to analyze how a common set of producer, farm, and resource characteristics influence groundwater values, concern for future groundwater availability, private conservation actions, and support for coordinated conservation efforts. We find two factors, producer age and land owner status, are consistently correlated with the key conservation‐related outcomes we evaluate. More generally, the results suggest considerable similarities in the characteristics that drive private conservation actions and support for coordinated conservation. This knowledge could be used to better target and incentivize future groundwater conservation efforts in the region. Editor's note : This paper is part of the featured series on Optimizing Ogallala Aquifer Water Use to Sustain Food Systems. See the February 2019 issue for the introduction and background to the series . Abstract : Research Impact Statement : The age and land ownership status of agricultural producers are found to consistently impact a range of groundwater conservation motivations and actions.