The Effects of High Water Along the St. Lawrence River on Local Businesses in the Thousand Islands Region

Abstract

This study examines the effects of the high-water levels on businesses along the St. Lawrence River in 2017. I investigate two specific research questions: if and how the businesses were financially affected by a changing number of tourists, as well as, if and how businesses were affected, physically or financially, by the high-water levels and flooding that occurred. I explore these research questions by interviewing owners and managers from a sample of three organizations in the region, each representing a different industry. In addition to conducting interviews, in an attempt to quantify the dollar impact of the high water and flooding in the region on my sample businesses, I compare the financial records for the two fiscal years prior to the fiscal year affected by the flooding in 2017. I find that the businesses were affected by the flooding primarily because they experienced fewer tourists.