Economic Impact of Flooding on Agricultural Production in Northeast Central North Dakota

摘要

Two farm operator surveys were conducted in the Devils Lake Basin of North Dakota to collect information on farmer attitudes and dollar losses associated with flooding of agricultural land. A preliminary survey was drawn to assess farm operator attitudes toward wetland, drainage, and flooding; and to identify problem areas relative to collecting information on dollar losses due to flooding. Respondents felt that wetlands were a nuisance to their farm operations and should be drained. One-third of the respondents felt their flood problems were associated with drainage upstream. A detailed survey was conducted to estimate flood damage on the basis of a composite acre for the Basin. The estimated annual average loss on land that may be affected by flooding in the Devils Lake Basin was $8.71 using long-run price relationships, and $13.03 using 1974 price relationships. The annual average total dollar loss due to flooding in the entire Basin was estimated to be $1.9 million using long-run price relationships, and $2.9 million using 1974 price relationships. A methdology for determining composite flood losses is presented.