Water Transfers in California: Estimating the Impact of Foregone Agricultural Production and Aquifer Decline

Dr Eric Houk
Professor, California State University, Chico

Wednesday, March 1st 2017
12:30-1:30 pm – Talk and discussion

Seminar Room 5.01, Centre for Global Food & Resources
Level 5 Nexus 10 Building

RSVP to Alec Zuo at alec.zuo@adelaide.edu.au by Monday 27 Feb for catering purposes as a light lunch will be available

Abstract:

In California, large federal and state water projects have been developed to transfer northern water supplies to southern water users.  This ability to transfer water has placed pressure on farmers to transfer/lease their surface water and either fallow their land or increase groundwater pumping. Although water transfers are occurring regularly in the state, the impact of additional groundwater pumping on aquifer levels and the impact of forgone production on the regional economy is often not well understood. This presentation will provide an overview of California water issues and demonstrate how hydrologic and economic models can be used to estimate the impacts of various water transfer scenarios.

About the speaker:

Dr Houk is a Professor of Agricultural Economics at CSU, Chico. He serves as the Lead for the Agricultural Business Program and the Director of the Agribusiness Institute. His research primarily focuses on issues relating to the economics of water and agriculture.