Excerpts: The study results presented in this report are for the Rio Grande River basin. With its headwaters in south central Colorado, the Rio Grande River travels through central New Mexico, forms the border between Texas and the Republic of Mexico, and ultimately drains to the Gulf of Mexico. This study deals with augmented streamflows from silvicultural activities on property under the jurisdiction of the Forest Service in Colorado, i.e.. the Rio Grande National Forest in the headwaters of the Rio Grande River. … A computer model was set up and used to determine the distribution of the marginal increases in water supply under various scenarios. The model simulates on a weekly or monthly basis the allocation of water within the basin subject to the legal/institutional framework, the input hydrology and the pertinent state appropriation policies determined by water rights. The benefits of the proposed silvicultural activities are derived from the model output which provides information on how the additional water would be distributed. Where possible, approximate dollar amounts are ascribed to these benefits. In order to complete the assessment of the economic value of augmented streamflows, data on the physical aspects of the system, the legal and institutional framework, hydrology, and the value of water for agricultural, municipal, or industrial use was developed.
