CROP DAMAGE

The floods affecting this area are likely to occur at any time of the year. The spring floods retard the planting, require replanting, and increase the cost of production, as well as decrease the yield.

Fall floods prevent the gathering of the crops and lower the yield and also the grade, and quite often destroy the entire crop itself.

The survey shows that in an average year the farms of this area produce crops valued at $499,230. These crops cost $216,675 to produce, leaving a net profit of $282,555.

But in a year where spring floods occur the total crop income is reduced more than 50 percent to $235,170, the production costs increase to$239,623, causing a net loss of $4,453.

Where floods occur during both spring and fall, the damage is even greater. The total income is reduced to $127,575, the cost of production is increased to $244,687.50, and the net loss is $117,112.50.

The survey shows that if this land were protected it would yield, in its present state and without any further development, crops totaling $930,480 at a production cost of $223,425 with a profit of $707,055.

Therefore, the annual crop damage caused by a spring flood, in this area, is $287,008, and the annual crop damage in a year where both spring and fall floods occur is $399,667.50. In addition to this crop damage, if the land were protected the net profits from the crops would be increased $424,500.

However, this is only a small part of the loss. The area referred to is the most potentially productive in this part of the country. With adequate flood protection, this area would be developed to its full potentiality within 10 years. When this land is fully developed and put to its best use, it will produce $3,629,664 annually in crops at a production cost of $951,210 yielding a net profit of $2,678,454.

A chart showing a complete analysis of these statements is attached as an exhibit.

LIVESTOCK AND PROPERTY DAMAGE

Based on a 10-year average, the survey shows that the average farm annually loses 2.2 livestock by floods valued at $111.65. In addition, the average farmer spends 6.2 days in getting the livestock out of the flooded area and caring for them.

The average farm also expends $105 per year for material to repair the damages done by flood, as well as 20.5 man days of labor.

The total annual livestock damage per farm is $121.15 and the property damage per farm. $156.25. The total annual livestock and property damage for the area is $42,610.

At the present time the average number of livestock per farm is 40 and probably one-third of the farmers do not maintain cattle herds at the present time due to the flood hazard. Because of the flood hazard, no registered cattle are grazed within this area. If this area were protected from floods, the livestock in this area would probably double. One of the chief reasons for this is that these lowlands afford the best grazing pasture in this area for 9 months during the year.

SUMMARY

At the present time the agricultural damage caused by floods in this area ranges from a minimum of over $300,000 to a maximum of almost $450,000.

With flood-protection land valuations would be immediately increased $1,000,and the agricultural profits of this area would be increased over $100,000 annually Actually the annual flood damage to farms of this area is therefore well over $750,000.

With assured flood protection, this land would soon be developed to its potentality and land values increased approximately $2,500,000, and the annual profit from crops approximately $2,400,000 or about ten times the present profit being derived from the farms of this area.