Where Colorado River water goes

A large share of the Colorado River's water is used for agriculture, and much of the water goes toward irrigating alfalfa and other hay crops to feed cattle.

A chart showing how the 19.25 million acre feet of water in the Colorado River gets consumed. The biggest share goes to irrigated agriculture, at over 10 million acre-feet, with 6.25 million acre feet going to alfalfa and other hay. Riparian and wetland evotranspiration is the next largest share, at 3.57 million acre-feet, followed by cities (including municipal, commercial and industrial use) at 3.54 million acre-feet, followed by reservoir evaporation at 2.05 million acre-feet.

Water use in millions of acre-feet

Cities (including municipal,

commercial and industrial uses)

3.54

Alfalfa and other hay

6.24

Irrigated

agriculture

Total Colorado River consumption

19.25 million acre-feet

Other crops

3.85

Riparian and wetland evapotranspiration

3.57

Reservoir evaporation

2.05

A chart showing how the 19.25 million acre feet of water in the Colorado River gets consumed. The biggest share goes to irrigated agriculture, at over 10 million acre-feet, with 6.25 million acre feet going to alfalfa and other hay. Riparian and wetland evotranspiration is the next largest share, at 3.57 million acre-feet, followed by cities (including municipal, commercial and industrial use) at 3.54 million acre-feet, followed by reservoir evaporation at 2.05 million acre-feet.

Water use in millions of acre-feet

Cities (including municipal,

commercial and industrial uses)

3.54

Alfalfa and other hay

6.24

Total Colorado River

consumption

19.25 million

acre-feet

Irrigated

agriculture

Other crops

3.85

Riparian and wetland evapotranspiration

3.57

Reservoir evaporation

2.05

Figures are an annual average for 2000-2019.

Richter et al

Aida Ylanan LOS ANGELES TIMES