Northern Colorado's water demand may grow at least 50 percent by 2030
 | |
September 16, 2007
It's such a simple task: Turn the faucet, out comes water. But as northern Colorado continues to grow, the availability of that water, particularly to agriculture, continues to dwindle.
One acre-foot of water -- enough water to cover a football field with a foot of water -- is needed to supply two households with a year's supply of water. That's water to drink, irrigate the lawn and garden, take showers and flush the toilet.
About 80 percent of Colorado's surface water supply comes from snow in the Rocky Mountains. When drought conditions ushered in the 21st century, Colorado farmers were hit hardest. And that drought, combined with growth, has put additional stress on water supplies to meet the demands of a steadily increasing population.
The two are also putting additional stress on water providers, who take that snowflake and turn it into a drop of water that comes out of a faucet several miles from the mountains.
It's not an easy proposition, and it won't get any easier.
State officials estimate that in the next 23 years, the population of the South Platte River Basin alone will nearly double. The water demand by the year 2030 is expected to increase by at least 50 percent in the South Platte basin because of population growth, agricultural water needs and an increased focus on recreational and environmental uses.
Full Story
No comments:
Post a Comment