Quantifying Flood-Mitigation Services: The Economic Value of Otter Creek Wetlands and Floodplains

Study estimates that undeveloped floodplains and wetlands along Otter Creek saved Middlebury, Vermont $1.8 billion in flood damage during Tropical Storm Irene and reduced damage by 54–78% across nine other flood events. The annual value of the flood-mitigation provided by the open space is as high as $450,000 per year.