Effects of Flood Control Projects 



on Agriculture 



I. Reservoir Areas 



By George B. Rogers, Research Economist 

 1. Introduction 



TT^UTURE construction of flood control dams is planned in New Hamp- 

 -*- shire and other states of the Northeast. The acquisition of lands for 

 dam and reservoir sites poses numerous problems for farm operators, rural 

 communities, and participating agencies of government. Full or part-time 

 farms may lose buildings and land, resulting in curtailment or disruption 

 of operations or complete displacement from the area. Even with adequate 

 compensation for property, the costs of disruption and moving are likely 

 to be substantial and probably not fully reflected in monetary settlements. 

 The loss of forest and woodland may mean the disappearance of some em- 

 ployment opportunities for local people and the loss of potential income 

 to persons holding such properties for speculative gain. Towns may have 

 lo relocate or build new schools, roads, and other public facilities. There 

 may be potential loss of revenue to the town, not only on acquired proper- 

 ties, but because of adverse economic effects from loss of population. Par- 

 ticipating agencies of government assume a major public relations problem 

 relative to acquisition and settlement through negotiation or legal action. 

 In addition, they assume responsibility for proper management of reservoir 

 lands during and after construction. This may involve leasing and measures 

 to maintain productive capacity for lands kept in agricultural use and 

 determination of alternative uses. 



Four flood control projects have been completed in New Hampshire to 

 date. These are at Franklin Falls on the Pemigewasset River, at Webster 

 on the Blackwater River, at West Peterborough on Nubansit Brook, and 

 at Surry Mountain on the Ashuelot River. A number of additional projects 

 are in planning or discussion stages as part of the comprehensive flood con- 

 trol plans for the Merrimack and Connecticut River basins. ( Figure 1. ) 



The New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station, in cooperation 

 with the United States Department of Agriculture, undertook in 1954 a 

 study of the effects of existing dams and reservoirs on agriculture, both in 

 the reservoir and downstream areas. This report, prepared by the N. H. 

 Station in 1955, is designed to appraise the effects in the reservoir areas. 

 Perhaps experience gained from the existing projects can indicate measures 

 to improve relationships and practices relative to these projects, and also 

 to minimize the impacts of future projects on farms and communities. 



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