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Climate Informed Water Bank

Progress Report 2003-2004 (pdf)

Investigators

Howe, Charles, John Wiener, University of Colorado

Time Period

2003

Work on this project builds on three years of work in the Arkansas Valley by continuing efforts to support the new Arkansas River Water Bank Pilot Program (WBPP) (rules effective July 1, 2002). Our participation in this project represents the first time that a new water institution has been designed explicitly to incorporate climate information. We have successfully participated in the rule making and initial regulations for this new institution and hope to continue in the role, thanks to support from NOAA/OGP. As our advisory group has pointed out, our role is valuable because we act as neutral third parties, not associated with any special interest. The Environment and Behavior Program has long been involved in water resource economics and transfer mechanisms and participation to date in the WBPP has developed strong contacts and interaction with the hierarchy of water management in the Arkansas Valley.

NOAA and others have created a range of new, more user friendly climate information, but this information has little value until decision makers see how it can improve their decisions. With WBPP in place, a significant dimension of responses will become feasible, namely to reallocate water on a short time basis among agricultural and other uses.

Unfortunately, the WBPP has not been widely accepted by water entities, partly because there has been almost no outreach, and engagement of the critical decision makers. A report ot the State legislature on the performance problems, and progress of the Pilot Program, and recommendations for the future of water banking is due November 2005. Thus public information, participation, and better understanding of the likely performance of alternative structures for the Bank are crucial, especially since the Valley economy is suffering from continued drought. We propose: (1) to provide further assistance for the design of the WBPP, emphasizing the vital nature of climate information to both the design and operation of the water bank; (2) to work with the ditch companies (potential transferors of water) on better agricultural planning through increased use of climate information; (3) to explore how the ditch companies can take maximum advantage of the water banking opportunity; (4) to investigate the cooperation with scientists at Colorado State University, use of the water bank to mitigate increasingly important salinity problems of western rivers and the Arkansas in particular through increased flexibility of water allocation to different lands; and (5) to assist state agencies in educating the broader regional community on the functioning and potential benefits of the water bank; (6) to educate the broader community concerning increased utilization of climate information in connection with other water related problems; (7) to learn more abut the formation of water user perceptions and preferences regarding new institutions like the water bank and other policy issues.