The distribution of water resources by sector and location in the Ebro Basin: impacts from water scarcity and droughts

Addressing a more sustainable management of water resources involves new policies that require improved knowledge on water allocations and benefits from the economic and environmental uses of water. This study analyzes the spatial allocation of water resources in the Ebro basin and the distribution by sector, the effects of water scarcity, and the debate on environmental flows in the Ebro mouth. The analysis focus on the irrigated districts using the major share of resources, and on the environmental flows proposals for the River mouth. A hydro-economic model is developed to simulate the effects of different water distribution scenarios by sector and location. Irrigation adaption strategies during drought periods are changes in crop patterns towards more profitable crops and efficient irrigation technologies. Results show that the environmental flow proposals of the Agencia Catalana del Agua hinder the maintenance of economic activities and restrain the economic development of the basin in the future. under drought conditions, the environmental flow proposal of the Agencia Catalana del Agua 2007 will not only eliminate all irrigation in the basin, but also exclude the expansion of water demand for other economic activities.