Summary 



1. The alluvial river bottoms of New Hampshire provide the essential pro- 

 ductive land base for a large part of the state's more successful com- 

 mercial farms. 



2. Industrial, recreational, and residential development, and the building 

 of highways, airports, and other public facilities have made heavy 

 encroachments on the limited good farmland of the state. 



3. Flood control reservoirs, built mainly for the protection of downstream 

 urban developments, may make further heavy inroads on the state's 

 farmlands. 



4. Despite the displacement of farm buildings from reservoir areas and 

 greater distances separating these lands from farmsteads, reservoir 

 lands can contribute a material agricultural output under proper public- 

 private cooperative arrangements. 



5. The risks of using reservoir lands are probably over-exaggerated, al- 

 though certain lands become much more subject to flooding during the 

 growing season after construction of such projects. 



6. A declining demand for farmland, lack of information on the real risks 

 involved in using reservoir lands, the acquisition and leasing practices 

 existing, and the lack of a more positive land management policy have 

 all contributed to a decline in agricultural output from reservoir areas 

 since project construction. 



7. This report appraises some of the effects of flood control projects on 

 agriculture and examines the potential values attainable from such lands 

 under improved management practices. It is hoped that these findings 

 will be given careful consideration by appropriate agencies with the 

 view of minimizing adverse effects of these and future projects. 



