Planning for Drought May 2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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downstream states. Municipal use is about 800,000 Baca County,Colorado,about 1936 acre-feet (7%), industrial use is about 250,000 acre- feet (2%), stock water use is about 132,000 acre- . 'G-1. feet (1%), and commercial use is about 16,000 acre- feet(0%). 4 ;i '' u'.- ' Colorado Population•r_. - . • d11• __: sooa000 p - e - .- 4 A L.tea •Projected - • _ , s.00a000 - -- _ �' U Historic _- a 400g000- - - Photo by D.L.Kemodle — $003,000- - -- Drought can significantly impact Colorado's ''°°°`°°° n- water dependent economy. Agriculture, tourism, 0..-- -P -1--1F11-1F1 hydropower generation, commercial and domestic use, manufacturing, and mining all depend on a firm 9a,eeSlotedaroyspfa supply of water. The potential impact of drought on the economy depends on how much water is The next drought in Colorado will pose a demanded by each sector and how much is significant water management challenge. consumed, when and where it is consumed, and if it Colorado's population is growing at an average rate can be stored before use. Tourism uses are of 2.9% per year. At this rate, the population will generally non-consumptive, but snowmaking, double every 24 years. The unrestrained growth of rafting, and fishing are also effected by drought. our population is resulting in the need for more water for municipal and industrial (M&I) purposes. Assuming one acre-foot per four persons per year, Water in Colorado is used primarily for the need for M&I water is projected to increase agricultural purposes. Of the approximately 12.4 from 1.0 million acre-feet in the year 2000 to 2.2 million acre-feet diverted for use statewide each million acre-feet in 2100. Where precluded from year, irrigation for agriculture accounts for about developing new water supplies and reservoirs, 11.1 million acre-feet, or about 90%. About half of municipalities are buying farms and ranches for the the diversions for irrigation return to the river and water rights, and land previously used for go towards meeting our compact obligations to agriculture is being dried up. There is also a growing desire for water based recreational and 1998 Colorado Water Use by Basin environmental use. The patterns of water use are changing from a seasonal demand to a year round ..... o,- - ■Stock ['Commercial demand, and new values emphasize in-stream flows z ❑Industrial as opposed to diversions and consumptive uses. •Municipal •Irrigation Not only is there competition to change water use ' 2.00:4000 — patterns, but we are faced with challenges from downstream states and the influence of national ra °' '�°°°° — laws and changing perspectives. Considering — Colorado's growing population, demand I,e00000— tE— — management will play a huge role in reducing the 5.,m— — future impact of drought. III Messes Rio Crude Dolores 65m CU, 1 Calmtb Ycope& NU+IAwI wtrawrr Ass, 111 simian Write 2