Economic Contribution of Agriculture Irrigated by the Columbia Basin Project

Client: South Columbia Basin Irrigation District

Location: Kennewick, WA

Summary: For the three irrigation districts in the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Columbia Basin Project (CBP), Cardno ENTRIX led a study of the total economic contribution of CBP irrigated agriculture. The study estimated the total value of agriculture to the local region, the state, and the national economy. Based on crop acreage data, as well as data collected on local crop prices and yields, Cardno ENTRIX estimated the total farmgate value of irrigated agricultural production, as well as the total value of processed foods that are produced from local agricultural crops (forward linkages).

Based on these values, Cardno ENTRIX constructed a regional economic impact model based on IMPLAN software that was used to estimate the total economic impact of CBP irrigated agriculture in terms of jobs and income. The analysis included estimation of the agricultural demand for goods and services produced outside the region (i.e. imports), which was used to assess the total economic contribution of the CBP to the state and nation in terms of increased economic production and associated jobs and income. In addition to economic impacts, the study estimated the direct fiscal contribution of CBP agriculture in terms of local property tax, state and local sales tax, and federal income taxes.