Quantifying the Economic Effects of Hydropower Development on Recreational Fisheries: A Case Study in Idaho

The effect of small head hydroelectric developments on a stream can range from reduction in fish populations to elimination of recreational fishing on some portion of a stream. Using a survey of anglers, the Travel Cost and Contingent Value Methods were applied to calculate the economic losses in recreational coldwater fishing that might result if fishing quality dropped by 50% due to hydropower development. A 50% reduction in fish catch on the Henry\u27s Fork in eastern Idaho due to a dam would result in a loss of %920,000 in fishing benefits annually. If instead a 50% reduction in size of fish caught occurs as a result of a dam on Henry\u27s Fork the annual loss in fishing benefits would be $1.07 million