Water Use In Colorado

1. Water Use In Colorado By Travis Hoesli

2. Water Use In Colorado Unit Learning Objectives • Know the different classification of water use In Colorado. • Understand what affects the use of water in Colorado today and in the future. • Explore possible ways to conserve water today and in the future.

3. Classification Of Water Use Service Water that is used to support humans with household, business, health, engineering and management. Is the largest sector in the water economy in Colorado. There is approximately 4.4 million people in Colorado. Estimated growth in twenty years is to 6.5 million. 2.5 acres feet of water will support 10 people or 3-4 homes . That same amount of water will irrigate 1 acre of cropland.

4. Classification Of Water Use Industrial Water used for mining, oil and gas and refinement. Although this sector of water use was the driving factor in the development of water in Colorado it makes up a small part of water use today. The only Affect Industry has of water use is from the increase in population due to increased jobs.

5. Classification Of Water Use Agriculture Water that is used for the production of crops and livestock. There is approximately 66.3 acres of land in Colorado. As of 2002 there is 31.3 million acres used for farming and ranching. Of that 31.3 acres 3.4 million acres is used for irrigated crops. In 1998 approximately 52% of water diverted from stream flow was used for Irrigation. As population of Colorado continues to grow the demand for water used by agriculture will continue to grow.

6. Classification of Water Use Recreation Water used the enjoyment of humans. (swimming, boating and fishing) This sector of water can be included with service use. It is relative small part of water usage but has a strong voice in the future of Colorado Water.

7. Changing Demand For Water As the population begins to grow and the number of acres of farmland decrease the demand for water will continue to shift focus to the service sector. There has been a trend of decreasing farm acreage over the past ten years. From 1992-1997 the farmland was converted at the rate of 270,000 acres per year. With this change in Colorado’s make up the use of water has and will continue to change.

8. Changing Demands For Water Recreation will be a driving force in usage change. With more economic importance being put on tourism, people will continue to look to secure water for recreational use. One current trend is to purchase water for diversion for rafting and kayaking. Demand for Colorado water will continue to shift to service as the population on the Front Range continues to go.

9. Water Conservation Agriculture has made great strides in technologies to conserve water in recent years. There has been huge strides in development of different center pivot sprinklers. Surge Valves has made major differences in flood Irrigation. Drip line sub Irrigation is the next big breakthrough in irrigation technology.

10. Water Conservation Service and residential need to have more focus on conservation. There has been some changes in the focus of cities and municipalities. With the drought of 2002 many of them have imposed water restrictions to help conserve water. It is discouraging that they have to be mandatory. Most residents of cities over water their lawns in the summer. There have been some changes with technology to reduce the consumption of water at residence. Reduced flow shower heads and automatic sprinkler systems have proven to lower residential usage. New technologies like sub irrigation lawn water and alternative landscaping we can continue to reduce the amount of water used in the service sector.