Economic Impact of the Missouri River Flooding

In 2011, after the Missouri River flood waters began to subside, Decision Innovation Solutions (DIS) conducted an analysis of the floods economic impact on agricultural production in Iowa and Nebraska.

An in-depth spatial analysis was used to understand the number of impacted acres and types of crops that would have been harvested in 2011 in the absence of a flood. The results were used to educate and inform the general public and policymakers.

The Results

After accounting the effects of not being able to sell a normal crop, the losses were:

Iowa

  • 233,269 acres involved
  • $207 million in lost output
  • $94.6 million in total value added
  • $28.3 million in lost labor income

Nebraska

  • 233,614 acres involved
  • $188 million in lost output
  • $95.8 million in total value added
  • $57.8 million in lost labor income