"Unveiling Colorado River's Water Usage: A Comprehensive Study"

A report published in Communications Earth & Environment reveals that over half of the Colorado River's water flow is used for agricultural irrigation, with alfalfa and grass hay for cattle feed accounting for a third of the usage. The study aims to aid negotiations for conserving water allocated from the river, as legal agreements are set to expire in 2026. With the river's volume decreasing and reservoirs dropping, there is a pressing need for reduced water consumption and leaving more water to support ecosystems. Farmers are facing pressure to adapt to a future with less water, as they may need to reduce their water use by 20%.