Competition for Recreation Water in California

Water-oriented recreation has experienced tremendous growth in recent years. This has brought about great demand for minimum recreation pools and adequate recreation facilities at reservoir projects. Water pools for recreation require acquisition of water to fill them initially and to compensate for added evaporation losses later. This difficult problem was satisfactorily solved in four Federal reservoirs in a water-deficient area in California. Procedure used entailed a high degree of cooperation by water users, public at large, and construction agency. Required water for recreation was estimated at less than one half of one percent of natural river flows. Total cost, including storage, water, recreation facilities, and maintenance and operation is estimated at $0.30 per recreation-day. Under Public Law 99-72 about one half of this cost would be borne by the Federal Government and the other half by a local agency. Local costs can be financed through user fees.