The economics of water supply forecasting

A discussion of the economic value of water supply forecasting is presented dealing with monetary values. It is pointed out that if 'Economics is the science concerning the production, management, and distribution of wealth', then truly water to the farmer, in irrigated areas, is true wealth. This depending entirely on the possibility of furnishing reliable information as to data relating to: too much water or too little, together with time of delivery. It is pointed out that floods can be a liability without the foreknowledge of occurrence, and a credit if proper facilities are available for water management and planning through accurate information. An actual shortage season is described on one irrigation district where a savings of $378,850 was saved by adhering to the water supply forecasts and applying good water management to produce good crops despite the water shortage and the season was not a total loss.