Economic Analysis of Dam Operation Improvement by Dam Downstream River Improvement Works (II)-Economic Benefit and Cost Allocation Analysis

Abstract

Flood discharge capacity in a dam downstream reach has been decreased after dam construction because of the river cross section reduction impacted by farm lands, sand-bars and parking lots, etc. in river flood plains. Those obstacles being in the river inside areas have caused negative influences to the dam operation policy. Therefore, the dam downstream river improvement work associated with the dam operation improvement plan is under construction for removing reduction factors on the dam effective storage, assuring flood safety in the dam downstream river and incrementing dam operation benefits. But the project has issued some problems such as project feasibility, economic evaluation, cost allocation and benefit share, etc. Since a dam enterpriser has not committed such kind of project before, it is necessary to set up an objective analysis process and a quantitative financial valuation. This study examines the measurable economic benefits and the cost allocation of the project for the fairness between benefit owners (central government and water electricity enterprisers). As a result, the total economic benefit from 3 dams (Imha, Daechung and Youngdam Dam) accounts for 14.41 Billion Won/year. The financial valuation of K-water as a project enterpriser is approximately estimated at 40% of the total value and the government is 60%.