Salmon Recovery in the Columbia River Basin: Analysis of Measures Affecting Agriculture

Abstract

The effects of salmon recovery measures on the Northwest agricultural sector are evaluated. Relevant recovery measures, such as: modified timing for dam releases, reservoir drawdown, and flow augmentation in the Columbia River basin, on the regional agricultural sector are evaluated. Combined, these measures would increase power rates, grain transportation costs, and irrigation water costs and reduce the supply of water to irrigators. We quantify these input cost and quantity changes and combine them into seven recovery scenarios for analysis. Results suggest that drawdown and/or minor reductions in irrigation water diversions would reduce producers' profits by less than 1% of baseline levels. However, the most extreme scenario—a long drawdown period combined with a large reduction in irrigation diversions—would reduce producers' profits by $35 million (2.5%) annually. That effect is magnified at the local level; of the $35 million decline in annual profits, more than $27 million occur in southern Idaho a...