@article{8f705c2e6c454cd7bf1810dd58ff6aca,
title = "Effects of Reservoir Levels on Arizona National Recreation Area Visitation, Visitor Spending, and Local Economies",
abstract = "This study estimates the effects of reservoir levels on demand for recreation visits to Lake Powell (Glen Canyon National Recreation Area [NRA]) and Lake Mead NRA, correlating reservoir levels with overnight and total recreation visits. We also consider the effects of closures of recreation access points (such as launch ramps or marinas) when lake levels fall below critical thresholds. Our overall results are similar to past studies, but find that the access point closures are a more robust predictor of visits than simple elevation measures. Policies that manage the Colorado River, including those that seek to maintain reservoir levels above critical levels with the primary goal of preventing water delivery cutbacks, also affect recreation demand and the economies of nearby communities. Our analysis maps changes in visits (from changing elevations) to changes in visitor spending, recreationist user benefits, and regional economic indicators such as value added and employment. Such indicators could be used in future benefit-cost or economic impact analyses of Colorado River water management policies.",
keywords = "Colorado River, drought, economic impact, national parks, outdoor recreation",
author = "Dari Duval and Bickel, {Ashley K.} and Frisvold, {George B.}",
note = "Funding Information: Both public and private entities have specific objectives to maintain the reservoir levels at Lakes Mead and Powell above‐defined threshold levels. The USBR created the Intentionally Created Surplus program allowing Lower Basin states (California, Nevada, and Arizona) to store water in Lake Mead by creating a like amount of water in their state to be used instead (USBR 2007 ). In 2014, USBR and major basin water supply agencies (Central Arizona Water Conservation District, Denver Water Southern, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and Nevada Water Authority) implemented a memorandum of understanding to fund voluntary conservation projects aimed at increasing elevations at Lake Mead. Federal participation in these projects was authorized through the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2015 and the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2019 (Stern and Sheikh 2020 ). Furthermore, local funding agencies, the Environmental Defense Fund, and the Walton Family Foundation have joined the federal government in funding 16 Pilot Program projects in the Lower Basin to maintain Lake Mead elevations above the 1,075‐foot threshold (USBR 2019 ) and The Nature Conservancy has been involved in projects to achieve voluntary reductions in irrigation and maintain the saved water at Lake Powell (TNC 2018 , 2021 ). Perhaps the most substantial effort to maintain reservoir levels came in 2019 when the Basin States and USBR transmitted to Congress DCPs to address potential water supply shortages. Interim Guidelines Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021 American Water Resources Association",
year = "2021",
doi = "10.1111/1752-1688.12962",
language = "English (US)",
journal = "Journal of the American Water Resources Association",
issn = "1093-474X",
publisher = "Wiley-Blackwell",
}