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Agriculture consumes something like 3 of every 4 units of water in Arizona. But 'consumers of desert lettuce are on a short leash' doesn't make quite as good o
by notch656a 5y ago
Agriculture consumes something like 3 of every 4 units of water in Arizona. But 'consumers of desert lettuce are on a short leash' doesn't make quite as good of a headline.
- bombcar 5y ago36% is agricultural apparently (it’s like 70% see comments below, I found some unrelated Colorado River). https://www.lcra.org/water/water-supply-planning/water-use-summary/ https://www.lcra.org/water/water-supply-planning/water-use-s...
- notch656a 5y ago"Irrigated agriculture is the largest user of water in Arizona, consuming about 74 percent of the available water supply. In the past, this percentage was as high as 90 percent;" [0] [0] https://new.azwater.gov/conservation/agriculture#:~:text=Irrigated%20agriculture%20is%20the%20largest,of%20the%20available%20water%20supply https://new.azwater.gov/conservation/agriculture#:~:text=Irr....
- bombcar 5y agoWe have too many Colorado rivers outside of Colorado. Let’s dam it and shut it down.
- pooper 5y agoExactly. When it comes to water, Colorado comes first. Colorado gets all the water it needs and wants. If there is anything left over, then lower areas can have some of the water. If not, they don't get any.
- bombcar 5y agoWhiskey is for drinking, water is for fighting. Some of the oldest laws in the US are water distribution agreements.
- PaulDavisThe1st 5y agoTrue in some senses. But the Colorado River Compact was finalized in 1946. US water law in the west is also based on private water rights, a "first in time, first in right" approach that is completely different from the east (say, east of the 100th meridian). Out here, governments have no authority to dictate patterns of water usage across a watershed (for example) in times when such regulation might be to the benefit of everyone. If I have 3 acre feet of water rights, then if I can actually get 3 acre feet out of my well(s), I get to use it regardless of the general water situation. These laws discarded (in NM at least) much older water management practices imported by the Spanish who had learned them from the Moors. These allowed for a "majordomo" who would regulate water usage on a community-wide basis, depending on the availability, need and community benefit. The US almost completely overthrew these systems after taking control here.
- PaulDavisThe1st 5y agoThat's actually not how the Colorado Compact works. Colorado is allowed about 50% of the water in the river within its boundaries.
- imtringued 5y agoThis is how you start wars.
- pooper 5y agoI hope not. This is a bargaining position. Some points: 1. Colorado was, is, and remains in the future committed to the Union. 2. Colorado has no access to the sea but most downstream neighbors do, to which Colorado needs access. Worst case, these downstream partners can use desalination to obtain drinking water. War is always a choice for them. Colorado has no such choice. 3. Colorado is reasonable. We still need these United States to be at least somewhat self sufficient in food production. All I am asking is Colorado doesn't suffer alone while downstream neighbors waste water. 4. As a matter of principle, the water belongs to Colorado. Downstream partners must recognize this. Alternatively, they must realize we have a right to audit their water use. All of this is my personal (uneducated, unqualified) opinion and does not reflect the will of the people of Colorado. Please correct me if you think I am wrong.
- PaulDavisThe1st 5y ago77% in New Mexico.
- icegreentea2 5y agoWill probably see increased uptake of drip irrigation if shortages persist.