TY  - JOUR
AU  - Hansen,Zeynep K.
AU  - Libecap,Gary D.
AU  - Lowe,Scott E.
TI  - Climate Variability and Water Infrastructure: Historical Experience in the Western United States
JF  - National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper Series
VL  - No. 15558
PY  - 2009
Y2  - December 2009
UR  - http://www.nber.org/papers/w15558
L1  - http://www.nber.org/papers/w15558.pdf
N1  - Author contact info:
Zeynep K. Hansen
College of Business and Economics
Department of Economics
Boise State University
1910 University Drive
Boise, ID 83725-1620
Tel: 208/426-3314
Fax: 208/426-2071
E-Mail: zeynephansen@boisestate.edu

Gary D. Libecap
Bren School of Environmental Science
and Management and Economics Department
University of California, Santa Barbara
Bren Hall 4412
Santa Barbara, CA  93106-5131
Tel: 805-893-8611
Fax: 805-893-7612
E-Mail: glibecap@bren.ucsb.edu

Scott Lowe
Boise State
E-Mail: Scottlowe@boisestate.edu
M3  - presented at "Climate Change:  Past and  Present Conference", May 30-31, 2009
AB  - Greater historical perspective is needed to enlighten current debate about future human responses to higher temperatures and increased precipitation variation. We analyze the impact of climatic conditions and variability on agricultural production in five semi-arid western states. We assemble county-level data on dams and other major water infrastructure; agricultural crop mixes and yields; precipitation and temperature; soil quality, and topography. Using this extensive data set, we analyze the impact of water infrastructure investments on crop mix and yields in affected counties relative to similarly-endowed counties that lack such infrastructure. We find that water infrastructure smoothes agricultural crop production and increases the likelihood of a successful harvest, especially during times of severe drought or excessive precipitation.
ER  -