Nearly one-fifth of the 11 Western States is national-forest land 

 and these lands, because of their mountainous character and generally 

 high elevation, receive one-third of the precipitation and furnish over 

 half the streamflow. Western national forests are major sources of 

 water for 1,800 towns and cities including such major metropolitan 

 areas as Salt Lake City, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, 

 and Phoenix. Over 600 hydroelectrical developments depend on the 

 national forests for water. 



Irrigation accounts for one-half of the Nation's consumption of 

 fresh water. By 1975 daily use of water is expected to nearly double, 

 an increase which would be equivalent to the daily flow of over 13 

 Colorado Kivers. Inevitably, western national forests will continue 



GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT - 



billions of 



1957 dollars 





ZF 



s 

 tt^ 



1920 '30 '40 



2000 



Recreation use is increasing at a faster rate than either population or gross national product 



