The Importance of Regional Analysis in Evaluating Agricul-tural Water Conservation Strategies

Water resources are essential for agricultural crop production, especially in semi-arid regions of the nation such as the Texas High Plains. In this region, agriculture is a major economic driver and is also the main water user while withdrawals continue to exceed the small recharge of the primary source of water, the Ogallala Aquifer. Agricultural water conservation strategies are being considered to limit the decline of scarce resources in the region. Potential water savings and associated implementation costs are typically the primary considerations in evaluating strategies. However, the inclusion of a regional economic analysis can change the acceptability of conservation strategies considered. This paper examines the impacts of including regional analysis in evaluating agricultural water conservation strategies in the Panhandle Water Planning Area of Texas.