Evaluation of Recreational Benefits of Instream Flows

Abstract

A methodology to estimate instream flow benefits is proposed in this study. Using travel cost approach, demand for recreation is first estimated. Changes in visitation corresponding to alternate levels of stream flows are determined from a survey. Based on these results, instream flow benefits are then calculated, using weak complementarity assumption. An empirical procedure is developed and applied to a case study area.

KEYWORDS:

• Travel cost approach
• weak complementarity
• recreation
• instream flows
• benefits