{
  "meta": {
    "title": "Regional Water Budget Balance Sheet",
    "version": "1.0.0",
    "asOf": "2026-02-23",
    "units": "million acre-feet per year (MAF/yr)",
    "source": "USGS water-use data, state water plans, engineering capture model estimates",
    "classification": "measured (demand/supply) + modeled (capture/recharge)",
    "note": "Captures current state and ASR-augmented projections. Natural recharge alone cannot sustain current withdrawal rates in any region."
  },
  "regions": [
    {
      "region": "Ogallala (High Plains)",
      "currentWithdrawal": 16.5,
      "naturalRecharge": 3.0,
      "deficit": -13.5,
      "asrCaptureTarget": 4.0,
      "netWithASR": -9.5,
      "investment_B": 4365,
      "notes": "Largest deficit. ASR helps but cannot close the gap alone — demand reduction essential. Southern HP most critical."
    },
    {
      "region": "Central Valley (CA)",
      "currentWithdrawal": 8.0,
      "naturalRecharge": 2.5,
      "deficit": -5.5,
      "asrCaptureTarget": 3.5,
      "netWithASR": -2.0,
      "investment_B": 825,
      "notes": "SGMA mandates sustainability by 2040/2042. ASR + managed aquifer recharge can close most of the gap in wet years."
    },
    {
      "region": "Edwards (TX)",
      "currentWithdrawal": 1.8,
      "naturalRecharge": 1.2,
      "deficit": -0.6,
      "asrCaptureTarget": 1.5,
      "netWithASR": 0.9,
      "investment_B": 106,
      "notes": "Karst system with good recharge potential. SAWS ASR (120K AF) already operational — proven model for expansion."
    },
    {
      "region": "Denver Basin (CO)",
      "currentWithdrawal": 0.8,
      "naturalRecharge": 0.3,
      "deficit": -0.5,
      "asrCaptureTarget": 0.8,
      "netWithASR": 0.3,
      "investment_B": 176,
      "notes": "Confined aquifer system. Lower recharge potential but growing demand from Front Range population growth."
    },
    {
      "region": "Basin & Range (AZ/NV)",
      "currentWithdrawal": 5.0,
      "naturalRecharge": 1.5,
      "deficit": -3.5,
      "asrCaptureTarget": 2.5,
      "netWithASR": -1.0,
      "investment_B": 5268,
      "notes": "Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas corridors. Monsoon capture potential significant. Colorado River allocations declining."
    }
  ],
  "totals": {
    "currentWithdrawal": 32.1,
    "naturalRecharge": 8.5,
    "totalDeficit": -23.6,
    "totalASRCapture": 12.3,
    "netWithASR": -11.3,
    "note": "ASR reduces the deficit by ~52% but cannot eliminate it. Demand management (efficiency, crop switching, conservation) must close the remaining gap."
  }
}