Value of the Corps of Engineers Civil Works Program to the Nation

The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works asked the Director of Civil Works to determine the net cost or benefit of the Civil Works program to the U.S. Treasury. In other words, does the country get a positive return on the 3.6 billion invested in the program Subsequently, Programs Division contacted the Corps Institute for Water Resources IWR and requested assistance in responding to the request. IWR prepared three options, a detailed project by project accounting, a macro economic model approach, and a quick analysis using available data on benefits by project purpose. CECW-B pursued the least cost option so as to provide the most timely estimate and discussion of the analysis.