Water Resource Programs:
Importance to American Agriculture
American farmers lead the world in corn and soybean production. The U.S. also exports more wheat, corn, and soybeans than any other country. Without the economical, efficient transportation system that the Nation's inland and intracoastal waterways and shallow- and deep-draft ports provide, the agricultural community would have a more difficult task in moving its goods to markets not only in this country but around the world.
Falling trade barriers help those who can deliver the highest quality goods at the lowest cost -- regardless of location. America's waterways infrastructure and barge transportation help farmers compete in the global marketplace. U.S. farmers must work hard to remain competitive, however. Wheat and corn are grown on farms which are located 1,000 miles or more from coastal ports, putting pressure on our transportation system at a time when other countries are rapidly modernizing their rail and waterway connections.
FACT: An estimated 82% of the nation's corn, 77% of its soybeans, and 32% of its wheat are produced in 10 Midwestern states that border the Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio Rivers. Additionally, Washington and Oregon transport over $1 billion of grain, food, and food products using the Columbia-Snake River system and ocean ports.
FACT: In 1995, total waterborne commerce (imports and exports) included over 303 million tons of agricultural products. Of that figure, more than 176,000 million tons (approximately 58%) were transported for export to foreign markets, including over 130 million tons of grain and oilseeds alone.
FACT: Barge transportation offers a more efficient, less expensive alternative over rail or truck transportation for moving agricultural products over long distances. One barge moves the equivalent of 15 jumbo rail hopper cars or 60 large semi-trucks. If the rail system had to transport the grain and oilseeds that now move on the Mississippi River, it would require an additional 44,000 rail cars.
FACT: Over 1 billion bushels of corn are carried downriver on the Arkansas, Upper Mississippi, Illinois, and Ohio River segments, broken down as follows: the Upper Mississippi -- 736 million bushels; the Illinois River -- 461 million bushels; the Ohio River -- 149 million bushels; the Arkansas River -- 3 million bushels.
A particular concern of agricultural community members is flood protection. Currently, the Army Corps of Engineers maintains over 380 lakes and reservoirs as well as 8,500 miles of levees. These projects prevent an estimated $16.2 billion in damages annually, averaging nearly $9 saved for every $1 spent.  (continued)