THE REGIONAL EFFECTS OF WATERLOGGING AND SOIL SALINIZATION ON A RURAL COUNTY IN THE ARKANSAS RIVER BASIN OF COLORADO

Rural counties along the Arkansas River of Colorado are being negatively affected as a result of irrigation induced waterlogging and soil salinization. Mathematical programming is first used to estimate the direct costs of these effects on agricultural production, then input-output analysis is used to estimate the indirect and induced impacts that are occurring. The average direct loss to agricultural production in Otero County Colorado was estimated to be approximately $68/acre. When the indirect and induced impacts are included, the total costs associated with waterlogging and soil salinization are estimated to increase by approximately 20% within this county.