Folsom Dam Regional Economic Development Evaluation

Client: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers / MWH Americas, Inc.

Location: Sacramento, CA

Summary: For the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Cardno ENTRIX (under subcontract to MWH), prepared a Regional Economic Development (RED) analysis in support of proposed flood control improvements at Folsom Dam in northern California. The RED analysis, which was prepared in accordance with the federal Principles and Guidelines (P&Gs) for water resource projects, focused on changes in regional income and employment attributed to project construction and hypothetical flood events in the local watershed. In order to estimate economic impacts, a regional economic model was developed using IMPLAN data and software. The regional economic model used estimates of changes in final demand to estimate the indirect economic effects resulting from inter-industry purchases and changes in household income levels. The RED analysis will be used to inform decision-makers regarding the local economic implications of implementing proposed flood control improvements.