Impacts and Insights: Assessing the Aftermath of Yellowstone’s 500-Year Flood in Montana

Authors

Melissa Weddell
Kara Grau
Patrick Holland-Stergar
Christina S. Barsky
Lauren K. McKeague

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

8-2025

Disciplines

Agricultural and Resource Economics | Leisure Studies | Nature and Society Relations | Other Social and Behavioral Sciences | Regional Economics

Abstract

Tourism is shaped by many elements, including natural disasters and unexpected events, which can profoundly affect visitor patterns and destination choices. While disasters typically reduce tourist numbers, occasionally they can have a positive influence. The purpose of this report is to document the flood event, analyze its impact, recovery process, and the economic losses to the region, particularly in terms of tourism visitation and revenue to the area and its gateway communities. The project was a coordinated effort among researchers from the University of Montana’s Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research (ITRR), the Department of Public Administration and Policy, and the Montana Department of Commerce. This section discusses the data collection process, which involved a survey conducted across four counties and economic data from the Montana Department of Commerce.

Keywords

Yellowstone Flood

Rights

© 2025 ITRR

Recommended Citation

Weddell, Melissa, Grau, Kara, Holland-Stergar, Patrick, Barsky, Christina S., McKeague, Lauren K. (2024). Impacts and Insights: Assessing the Aftermath of Yellowstone’s 500-Year Flood in Montana. Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research, University of Montana. Missoula, Montana. 36p.