Removal of forest canopy to reduce interception, evaporation, and transpiration, and to collect blowing snow, etc., has been demonstrated to increase water yield from small subalpine watersheds. How useable the increase in yield might be depends on a number of factors. It is likely that a more complete description of what occurs in the acquatic and riparian environment as a result of the increased yield, and at points of collection or diversion will affect our judgment. There is room for a further contribution by earth and life scientists to fully round out the biophysical effects to be assessed in economic terms. A partial analysis may nonetheless be undertaken, and given certain peculiarly favorable circumstances in the Colorado [...]
