Table 10.1 Population in the Ashuelot River Basin in 1970 with Projection to 1980. 



Population % increase 



Type of area Unit 1970 1980 1970 to 1980 



Rural residence Household' 2,936 3,469 18 



Intensive residential Household' 1,488 1,786 20 



Urban Household' 5,U00 5,750 15 



Average household size was 4 people. 



Economic forces not confined to the river basin may have profound effects 

 on the basin. A shift in market forces may result in loss of an industrial firm. 

 The network of superhighways opens new alternatives for resource use. A shift 

 in the industrial base from water-based manufacturing would have a sizeable 

 effect on water demands and may be the most unpredictable factor of all. 

 Increase in water-based industry in the basin is less likely to occur, due to 

 present pressures placed on the existing water supplies and to the raising of the 

 river classification to the B class. A major projection of the area economy to 

 include industry, recreation, change in price ratio, and expansion of higher 

 education facilities is beyond the scope of this study. Taking into account the 

 problems with projections, some meaningful statement can be based on the 

 simplified assumptions noted above. 



Technology considered in planning will determine alternatives and costs. 

 Stream, lake, and pond aeration devices, for example, were not considered in 

 this analysis. Use of aeration devices on lakes is limited or prohibited on many 

 water bodies in New Hampshire by institution arrangements. Such institutional 

 limitation may prove to be costly. Artificial aeration and heating of lagoons 

 is another alternative, but little is known about this kind of waste-water 

 treatment process. 



New impoundments are now being planned for providing adequate water 

 supply for Keene. The data for this were not included in the projection because 

 the operation of the system is scheduled for some time after 1980. 



10.4 Shifts from Present Resource Use to Future Resource Use 



Shifts in resource use must occur in identifiable steps. From the present 

 situation with less than potential production and modest waste-water treatment 

 plants, the first step would entail installation of adequate waste-water treatment 

 facilities. This first step is most noteworthy because it involves sizeable capital 

 investments and operating costs without added revenue to the area. To build this 

 into the planning process is a major endeavor. To make the first step more 

 palatable, it could be taken up in conjunction with industrial expansion and 

 population growth planning, in such a manner that the benefits would accrue 

 to cover some of the increased cost. 



Bevens, M. L. "The Campground Industry -Surging '60's, Sinking '70's?" in Vermont 

 Farm and Science. Burlington, Vermont: University of Vermont Extension Service and 

 Experiment Station, Spring 1972. 



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