The local economic implications of Lower Snake River dam removal
A new analysis finds that the largest and fastest-growing economic sectors in Nez Perce and Asotin counties are not strongly connected to the Lower Snake River dams. Both counties can continue to grow, and may see new economic gains, if the dams are removed.
Image courtesy EcoFlight
Assisting communities
Headwaters Economics works directly with communities to help them become more resilient to the threats of floods and wildfire, and to economic transition.
Latest research
Regional Tribal Emergency Management Summit
Headwaters Economics cohosted the fourth annual Regional Tribal Emergency Management Summit this spring. Tribal councils, emergency managers, and other disaster response professionals gathered to work on solutions for flooding, wildfire, and more.
Tracking Western states’ diverse approaches to wildfire building codes
More states in the West are considering new building codes to protect structures and neighborhoods from wildfire. We’re tracking the progress.
Economic performance of communities near national monuments
National monument designation does not disrupt local economies, according to the latest data on jobs, income, and GDP. Most trends continue on the same trajectory after designation, and income growth tends to improve modestly over time.
States must modernize stream crossing standards to protect communities from flooding
More than half of the culverts protecting roads from flooding in the United States do not meet modern design standards, endangering communities and local economies. New standards and replacement programs must be adopted.
Wildfire and insurance options for homeowner coverage
In the face of increasing wildfire disasters several strategies could play a role in reducing damages and stabilizing homeowners insurance markets.
Reclaiming abandoned mines can protect against harmful and costly flood disasters
More than 68,000 abandoned or inactive mines in areas with high flood risk endanger people and places across the U.S.
Construction costs for wildfire-resistant homes
A new analysis shows that building wildfire-resistant homes adds less than 3% to construction costs.
Building disaster preparedness in the outdoor recreation economy
As floods and wildfires grow more damaging, recreation leaders and emergency managers must team up to protect visitors, economies, and the landscapes we love.
Future-proofing the outdoor recreation economy
Many outdoor recreation communities face outsized wildfire and flood risks. They must prioritize updating infrastructure, community planning, and emergency response.
Building wildfire-resistant homes after disasters will save billions
Upfront investments in rebuilding to wildfire-resistant standards can save billions in future avoided economic losses.
How rural communities can ensure development projects deliver local benefits
Seventy percent of rural communities with high economic output are losing population, but rural leaders can use Community Benefit Agreements to ensure development leads to lasting local value.
FieldNotes:
A look into the inner-workings of Headwaters Economics.
Headwaters Economics at the 2026 Montana Rural Summit
Kris Smith is just back from 2026 Montana Rural Summit in Townsend where about 150 funders, elected officials, and service providers gathered to discuss the state of rural Montana. Kris and Dr. Julia Haggerty of Montana State University presented a draft of their State of Rural Montana report that drew extensive feedback and participation from attendees. Thank you MSU Extension for hosting!
Kris Smith, Ph.D.
Kristin “Kris” Smith, Ph.D., is the Lead Researcher for Headwaters Economics’ FloodWise Community Assistance program. Her research on hazards, natural resources, and rural economic development is informed by her on-the-ground work with local governments and technical experts helping communities reduce flood risk.
- Contribution The local economic implications of Lower Snake River dam removal
- News New York Moves Forward With a Brooklyn Flood Protection Plan That Falls Short of Other City Projects
- Fieldnote Headwaters Economics presented with Montana Floodplain Program Ambassador award
- News New York Moves Forward With a Brooklyn Flood Protection Plan That Falls Short of Other City Projects
- Reclaiming abandoned mines can protect against harmful and costly flood disasters
- News Mapping Rural Local Government Capacity for Climate Resilience Projects in the United States
- How rural communities can ensure development projects deliver local benefits
- News Rural communities were promised millions in disaster funds. Trump is ending it
- Montana Community Foundation leverages data to reach more rural and Tribal communities
- News State and local governments pay growing share of disaster recovery costs
Measuring outdoor recreation in Vermont
Headwaters Economics partnered with the State of Vermont to build an online dashboard that highlights the impacts of outdoor recreation across the state. The CORE Data Dashboard shows visitation patterns, spending profiles, and other research to help local leaders understand trends and direct investments.
Megan Lawson, Ph.D.
Megan leads Headwaters Economics’ research in outdoor recreation, economic development, and demographics. She has more than 20 years’ experience as a quantitative economist analyzing policies and trends for communities, governments, and nonprofit organizations.
- The local economic implications of Lower Snake River dam removal
- News The outdoor recreation economy is worth $1.3 trillion. Trump’s cuts to National Parks could change that
- News Trump’s cuts to National Parks is a bad sign for the outdoor economy and rural economies
- The Outdoor Recreation Economy by State
- News In Case of Emergency
- News National Monuments Promote Stable Local Economies, Analysis Shows
- Economic performance of communities near national monuments
- News When disaster strikes: Outdoor recreation’s role in Montana’s wildfire, flood resilience
- Building disaster preparedness in the outdoor recreation economy
- News This Seattle summer is an economic bummer for water sports businesses
An updated Rural Capacity Index
Our Rural Capacity Index (RCI) just got a significant update. The tool measures how well communities are equipped to compete for funding and manage long-term infrastructure projects. New features include refined data, a search bar to find any community in the country, and state-level capacity ratings. The RCI is used by agencies, funders, and local leaders as they work to distribute resources and other assistance to places that need it most.
Bill Daigle
Bill is Headwaters Economics’ lead software developer and programmer. With creative vision and skill, he designs, builds, and maintains the team’s data tools and data visualizations.
- Contribution Tracking Western states’ diverse approaches to wildfire building codes
- Contribution Community Wildfire Defense Grants fill a critical gap for rural communities
- Contribution A rural capacity map
- Contribution The American Community Survey in our data tools
- Contribution Latinos face higher flood risks than other groups
Tara Preston
Tara collects, updates, and helps analyze the data that feed all of Headwaters Economics’ online socioeconomic tools and products. An insightful data engineer, she knows that good stories can be found in data.
- Contribution Community Wildfire Defense Grants fill a critical gap for rural communities
- Contribution Economic performance of communities near national monuments
- Contribution Reclaiming abandoned mines can protect against harmful and costly flood disasters
- Contribution National public lands are vital to local economies
- Contribution Extreme heat is not just an urban threat: The risk to rural communities
- Contribution Housing on public lands will be limited by wildfire risk and development challenges
- Contribution Community Wildfire Defense Grants benefit rural and low-capacity communities
- Contribution The economic future of outdoor recreation in New Mexico’s Cibola and McKinley counties
- Contribution Future-proofing the outdoor recreation economy
- Contribution Reinvesting in rural America
Thousands of structures are lost to wildfire
We have just updated our webpage that tracks the number of structures lost to wildfire in the United States. The latest figures show that wildfires have destroyed more than 132,400 homes, businesses, and other structures since 2005. Explore the data by state, most destructive fires, and more.
Scott Story
Scott is the team’s lead GIS analyst, database manager, and data engineer. He coordinates and updates the data behind all Headwaters Economics’ tools and data visualizations. He holds a Master’s degree in Biology from Montana State University.
- Contribution The Outdoor Recreation Economy by State
- Fieldnote Data update: Public land ownership if the United States
- Contribution Building wildfire-resistant homes after disasters will save billions
- Contribution Housing on public lands will be limited by wildfire risk and development challenges
- Contribution America’s urban wildfire crisis: More than 1,100 communities at risk
- Contribution Three trends showcase the strength of the outdoor recreation economy
- Contribution Economic Impact of National Parks
- Contribution Updates to Wildfire Risk to Communities reveal 115 million people living with high wildfire risk
- Contribution A rural capacity map
- Contribution The American Community Survey in our data tools
The Outdoor Recreation Economy by State
We have updated our webpage that tracks the size and growth of the outdoor recreation economy in every state with the latest data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Explore charts and interactive graphics that show how much this $1.3 trillion sector contributes to each state’s GDP, job growth, and more.
Popular posts
The cost of retrofitting a home for wildfire resistance
Retrofitting a home for wildfire resistance can cost as little as $2,000, making this approach an effective risk reduction strategy for communities.
The Outdoor Recreation Economy by State
The outdoor recreation economy is large, growing faster than the overall economy, and consists of jobs in many industries. Explore data by state.
Economic Impact of National Parks
Millions of national park visitors generate economic opportunities for gateway communities, spending money that creates jobs and income. See the trends for every national park service unit.
Public land ownership in the United States
Public lands influence the economy, demographics, and fiscal policies of communities. Explore maps and county-level data for the 828 million acres of federal, state, and municipal land in the U.S.
Wildfires destroy thousands of structures each year
Explore the number of structures destroyed in each state by wildfire. Structures lost—rather than acres burned—provides a more complete measure of the broad impacts of wildfire.
A rural capacity map
A new map helps identify communities where investments in staffing and expertise are needed to support infrastructure and climate resilience projects.
Rising demand for FEMA’s BRIC program far exceeds available funding
An analysis of FEMA’s BRIC program for climate adaptation and disaster resilience funding shows rising demand, but unequal access.
The Amenity Trap: How high-amenity communities can avoid being loved to death
Amenity communities face unique challenges from waves of tourists and new residents. Proactive planning can help avoid being loved to death.
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About Headwaters Economics
Headwaters Economics is an independent, nonprofit research group that works to improve community development and land management decisions.
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Headwaters Economics maintains free, easy-to-use tools to help you better understand socioeconomic data and trends. Find data from dozens of sources for thousands of places in the United States.
Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire
Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire (CPAW) works with communities to reduce wildfire risk through improved land use planning. The program is a program of Headwaters Economics, in partnership with the USDA Forest Service.