ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF RECREATION SITES ON IRRIGATION RESERVOIRS IN SOUTHERN ALBERTA

This paper provides an estimate of the direct economic benefits of the use of recreation sites on irrigation reservoirs. There are approximately 89 reservoirs in Southern Alberta, of which about one quarter have developed recreation sites. Recreationists were interviewed at these sites during the summer of 1992. Information collected during these interviews is used to derive a contingent value estimate of daily willingness to pay and annual consumers’ surplus. Information about the use of irrigation infrastructure for recreation, and the value that people place on this opportunity, is important for the planning, development, and management of reservoirs to meet the growing demand for water based recreation opportunities.