A Framework for Estimating the Costs and Benefits of Dam Removal
Author: Whitelaw & Macmullen, ECONorthwest (2002)
Geography: U.S.
Level of Detail: Case study, Decision support tool, Economic valuation
Availability: Publicly Available
Water Management Strategies: Dam removals, Land Management
Specific Benefits or Trade-offs: Habitat and biodiversity, Land and environment, Local economy, People and Community
A Framework for Estimating the Costs and Benefits of Dam Removal examines the case study of removing dams from the Snake River. The authors use this analysis to provide a list of recommendations for performing a cost benefit analysis on dam removal. They emphasize relying on simplistic endangered species vs endangered jobs can distort calculations and miss other important areas of economic growth.