Since 1993 it is estimated farmers have endured a crop loss between 15 and 25 million dollars. Water from the Waubay Lake Basin is reclaiming anything in its path including roads, farmland and homes. The economic impact upon these communities compounds. Crop loss means less work at the grain mill. It means less being bought and fewer bills being paid at the hardware, lumber and grocery stores.
Loans loom larger at the bank.
This also means a significant revenue loss for the county government, slowly leaving it incapable of dealing with the crisis. As of January 1, Day County will no longer have a county ambulance service, nutrition programs, services for the handicapped or an extension office. The county can no longer afford these programs because it is not receiving sufficient income to sustain the services, in addition to constantly maintaining and building up main roads. It's like a cancer. It just eats away slowly.