摘要：A binary choice model was used to identify the attributes that influence irrigation districtadoption of conservation rate structures. Using principles of rate design and irrigation district administration as a framework, measures of irrigation district rate structure objectives andphysical and economic conditions were developed. The factors investigated characterize theconstraints under which districts operate, value and cost of water, quantity of water delivered andrevenue risk for districts. Rate structure adoption was predicted with over 75% accuracy. Bothsignificant and non-significant factors are key to understanding rate choice. District's were morelikely to adopt conservation rate pricing when the cost of water to farmers was greater, highervalue crops were grown and in areas with warmer and longer growing seasons. These conditionsmay be interpreted as reflecting the presence of greater opportunity costs in allocating waterbetween low and higher valued uses. Conservation rate pricing was less likely to be adopted bydistrict's where the proportion of alfalfa to total acreage was higher and with higher per acredeliveries of water. Somewhat surprisingly, annual variation in water deliveries (which shouldincrease the risk of revenue shortfalls) and size of the district (larger districts being moresophisticated) have little bearing on the type of rate structure adopted.
