Competition between Irrigation and Hydropower Water Use in Washington State

摘要

Research was carried out to analyze the competitive relationship between irrigation and hydropower uses of water, and to determine the impact of irrigation development on economy for the State of Washington. Estimations of irrigation and hydro-generation trade-offs were made using an updated version of the 1972 Washington State input-output model. Two irrigation projects were chosen for study, encompassing 796,000 acres. Undertaking both projects would yield an estimated additional agricultural output of $209 million/year (1972 prices), but substantially electrical losses for irrigation energy and energy lost through water diversions would occur.