Author: Zachary Bruning

Publisher:

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

Properly managing river water is one of the most important common pool resource issues in the Western United States. Historically, laws regulating water in the West have been biased toward diverting water out of stream for human consumption at the cost of de-watering and degrading rivers across the West. Several states have recognized the importance of leaving water instream and have taken action to support that cause. This study provides an examination of the hybrid instream flow programs used in Colorado and Montana to preserve and restore the health of rivers in those states. Using a case study approach each program is evaluated in relation to five criteria including, permanence, number of instream flows, funding, monitoring and enforcement, and barriers to private participation. The results of this evaluation are analyzed in order to draw out the strengths and weaknesses of each program as well as determine their overall effectiveness in establishing instream flows. Based on this analysis, suggestions are offered concerning how to best design effective instream flow programs.