Water Auctions: Design, Implementation, and Evaluation

This guidebook was developed to assist those seeking improved ways to acquire water for specific needs, such as a tribal water settlement, an endangered species instream flow program or to firm up urban drought supplies. Potential users include tribal, state, and federal agencies, cities, irrigation districts, non-profit organizations, and private firms needing to design and implement water acquisition programs. Water auctions can be a valuable tool when water is available to move from its current type of use (and users) to new locations and types of use. The role, potential advantages and disadvantages, implementation and evaluation of water auctions are discussed in depth in this publication.