Irrigation water conservation: opportunities and limitations in Colorado: a report of the Agricultural Water Conservation Task Force
Date
1996-10
Authors
Smith, D. H., author
Klein, Kathleen, author
Bartholomay, Richard, author
Broner, Israel, author
Cardon, G. E., author
Frasier, W. M., author
Kuharich, Rod, author
Lile, D. C., author
Gross, Mike, author
Parker, Dan, author
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
The implications of irrigation water conservation are an important consideration, especially in watershed basins where water is derived from surface diversions or shallow alluvial aquifers. Under these conditions, wide-scale adoption of conservation practices designed to increase diversion efficiencies has the potential of altering basin hydrology by reducing the magnitude of return flows. Conversely, the implications of agricultural water conservation in areas of the eastern plains, where deep aquifers are the source of irrigation water, are largely positive because of the overall effect of prolonging the usable life of the aquifer and, thus, the economic viability of the region. Because of variation in potential impacts of irrigation water conservation, the task force concluded that policy initiatives designed to implement conservation should be based on how water is used at the basin level rather that the individual farm level. Also, impacts of water conservation strategies on interstate compact obligations must be considered.
Description
October 1996.
Rights Access
Subject
Irrigation efficiency -- Colorado
Irrigation -- Colorado -- Management
Water conservation -- Colorado