FACT SHEET: River Economics

Join the Network: https://action.audubon.org/signup/sign-western-rivers-action-network

1 https://www3.epa.gov/watersense/docs/arizona_state_fact_sheet.pdf 2 http://www.azwater.gov/azdwr/ADWR_News/GroundwaterManagementAct.htm Photo Credit: Steve Prager

A sustainable supply of water is the foundation for Arizona’s future

growth and prosperity.

The Colorado River provides over $1.4 trillion (two thirds of the

Basin’s economic value) in annual economic benefits.1

Over 16 million jobs in the Basin region, accounting for $871

billion in wages and labor income, are dependent on flow in the

Colorado River.1

Tourism is the number one driver of Arizona’s economy,

ranking first in Arizona’s export-oriented business sectors.2

Tourism generated almost $3 billion in 2015 tax revenues. This

equals a $1,180 tax savings for every Arizona household.2

Outdoor Recreation generates $21.2 billion in consumer spending,

directly supports 201,000 jobs, creates $5.7 billion in wages, and

generates $1.4 trillion in state and local tax revenue.3

More jobs in Arizona depend on outdoor recreation (201,000) than

on the aerospace, defense, and tech sectors combined (184,000).3

Visitors are drawn to Arizona’s rugged and natural beauty and our

rivers are a major contributor to that attraction. In fact Nature study,

visiting nature preserves, and paddle/water sports are ranked

among the top 5 outdoor recreation activities with the potential for

growth in Arizona.4

In 2007, Arizona State Recreation Parks produced $156 million

in economic output, with $23 million of that in state and local taxes. Of

those 14 recreation parks, 11 are river, stream, lake, or wetland

-based recreation areas.5

Grand Canyon National Park, a resource that is directly dependent on

the health of the Colorado River, supports 7,846 jobs and

$509 million in economic activity in northern Arizona.6

References:

1 Arizona State University, L William Siedman Research Institute, W.P. Carey School of Business. Tim James, Dr. Anthony Evans, Eva

Madly, and Cary Kelly. The Economic Importance of the Colorado River to the Basin Region. December 18, 2014.

2 Arizona Department of Tourism, prepared by Dean Runyan Associates. Arizona Travel Impacts 1998-2015p. Portland Oregon. June,

2016.

3 Outdoor Industry Association. Arizona Outdoor Recreation Economy Report. July 26, 2017.

4 Arizona State University School of Community Resources and Development under the authority of Arizona State Parks and Trails.

Arizona 2018 - 2022 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan - Draft.

5 Northern Arizona University, prepared by the Arizona Hospitality Research & Resource Center, Center for Business Outreach, The

W. A. Franke College of Business. The Economic Impact of Arizona State Parks. August, 2015.

6 U.S Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Tourism to Grand Canyon National Park Creates $509 Million in Economic

Benefits. April 23, 2015.

FACT SHEET: River Economics

Join the Network: https://action.audubon.org/signup/sign-western-rivers-action-network

Photo Credit: Steve Prager

1 https://www3.epa.gov/watersense/docs/arizona_state_fact_sheet.pdf 2 http://www.azwater.gov/azdwr/ADWR_News/GroundwaterManagementAct.htm

As much as 60% of Arizona’s resident wildlife depends on

riverside habitat.1

Each year, wildlife watchers in Arizona spend over $2.3

billion on travel, lodging, and equipment.2

Our rivers are a hotbed for bird diversity. For example, 45% of

North America’s 900 bird species can be found on the

San Pedro River alone.3

Each year, bird-watching in the United States generates

$107 billion in annual economic output, impacts 660,000 jobs

and contributes $6 billion dollars to State tax revenues.4

Bird watching in Arizona accounts for up to $1.4 billion in

annual economic output.5

Properties immediately adjacent greenways like rivers benefit

from higher sales prices, higher marketability, and faster rates of

sale.6

River restoration projects increase employment by

creating construction jobs and jobs connected to new river

recreation opportunities.

River-related research is on the rise in Arizona and

elsewhere and has led to the infusion of new grant dollars into

local communities.

References

1 Wild Kids: What is Riparian Habitats. Arizona Game and Fish Department - Education Branch and the Heritage

Fund.

2 U.S Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census

Bureau. 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation.

3 Center for Biological Diversity. The San Pedro River. http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/public_lands/

rivers/san_pedro_river/

4 Tucson Audubon Society: The Economic Contributions of Wildlife Viewing to the Arizona Economy: A County-

Level Analysis. 2013. Southwick Associates/Arizona Game and Fish Department.

5 U.S Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Birding in the United States: A Demographic and

Economic Analysis. Addendum to the 2011 Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated

Recreation.

6 U.S Department of the Interior, National Parks Service. Economic Impacts of Protecting Rivers, Trails, and

Greenway Corridors.