Off-campus South Dakota State University users: To download campus access theses, please use the following link to log into our proxy server with your South Dakota State University ID and password.

Non-South Dakota State University users: Please talk to your librarian about requesting this thesis through interlibrary loan.

Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

1990

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Economics

First Advisor

Douglas Franklin

Abstract

South Dakota uses a substantial quantity of water. Primary uses are irrigation, domestic, and industrial. The amount of water used is increasing as population grows, as farmers implement the use of irrigation as a risk reducer, and as the state’s economy becomes more diverse. Within South Dakota there is both geographic and temporal variability, resulting in various degrees of scarcity relative to the quantities demanded. The allocation method for the available water must be appropriate for these variations. This thesis is an economic analysis of the law and policy of South Dakota’s water allocation institutions. The primary purpose of this study is to determine if the current South Dakota water laws are economically effective in allocating the available and future water resources. Such an evaluation will improve the likelihood that the state and its citizens receive the maximal return from the use of one of its most valuable resources. State government agencies such as the Department of Water and Natural Resources, and the state legislators can benefit from this thesis as it presents an analysis of the institutions of water allocation in South Dakota.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Water -- Law and legislation -- South Dakota
Water rights -- Economic aspects -- South Dakota
Water use
Water-supply

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

131

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Download

Share

COinS