1: Concepts and Methods; I: Statement of the Problem; II: The Concept of Economic Efficiency; III: Market Mechanics, River Basin Development, and Efficiency; IV: The Social Cost of Federal Financing; 2: Applying the Analysis; V: The Hells Canyon Case; VI: The Alabama-Coosa River System; VII: The Willamette River Case; VIII: The Willamette River Case; IX: Conclusions and Policy Implications