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Article
Social and geographic contexts of water concerns in Utah
Society and Natural Resources
  • Courtney G. Flint, Utah State University
  • Xin Dai, Utah State University
  • Douglas B. Jackson-Smith, Utah State University
  • Joanna Endter-Wada, Utah State University
  • Sara K. Yeo, University of Utah
  • Rebecca Hale, Idaho State University
  • Mallory K. Dolan, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-19-2017
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Abstract

Public concerns about water issues are key considerations in responding to changing hydrologic conditions. Literature is mixed on the social profiles associated with resource-related risks. Using data from a household survey, we compare concerns about water shortage, climate change impacts on water supply, poor water quality, and flooding. We assess the combined influence of social and locational factors on each concern and variations across three valleys in northern Utah. Generalized linear mixed modeling is used, given the ordinal nature of most variables. Water shortage was the greatest concern, and female, older, nonwhite, and recreationally active respondents were generally more concerned about water issues than their counterparts. Education, income, and religious identity presented more complicated relationships with water concerns, with significant interaction effects with valley geography. This study has implications for improving public involvement in risk management and engendering support for future water policy and planning strategies to address these risks.

Citation Information
Flint CG, X Dai, D Jackson-Smith, J Endter-Wada, SK Yeo, R Hale, MK Dolan*. 2017. Social and geographic contexts of water concerns in Utah. Society & Natural Resources 8:885-902 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2016.1264653.