A group of the Human Dimensions Program
Water Markets
Scarcity begets trade, which begets markets. Where institutions allowed it and transaction costs were not excessive, the growing scarcity of water in the western U.S. has often brought willing buyers and sellers together in what is called a water market. Water markets offer valuable information about the value of water. However, water markets differ markedly from one location to another, so that prices determined in such markets must be interpreted in light of the characteristics of the specific markets. This project aims to learn more about water markets and their water prices as a means to better understand the value of water leaving the public lands.
Selected Publications
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- Brown, Thomas C. 2006. Trends in water market activity and price in the western United States. Water Resources Research 42, W09402, doi:10.1029/2005WR004180.
(672 KB pdf file)
- Brown, Thomas C. 2004. The Marginal Economic Value of Streamflow From National Forests.
RMRS - RWU 4851 Discussion Paper
(1 MB PDF file)
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