Western states’ use of Colorado River water

Friday, Aug. 6, 1999 | 9:26 a.m.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A look at current Colorado River water use by states and facts about the river and individual water use, according to the Colorado River Water Users Association:

ARIZONA:

Allotment: 2.8 million acre-feet.

Percentage of allocation that is developed: Allocated, 100 percent. Used, 100 percent.

Population served: 3.08 million.

Percentage of contribution to meeting state's needs: 32 percent.

CALIFORNIA:

Basic allotment: 4.4 million acre-feet.

Percent of basic allocation that is developed: 100 percent.

Population served: Over 16 million.

Percentage of contribution to meeting state's water needs: 14 percent.

COLORADO:

Allotment: 3.855 million acre-feet.

Percentage of allocation that is developed: 56 percent.

Population served: 2.1 million.

Percentage of contribution to meeting state's needs: 35 percent.

NEVADA:

Annual consumptive use allotment: 300,000 acre-feet.

Percentage of allocation that is developed: 78 percent.

Population served: 1.1 million.

Percentage of contribution to meeting state's needs: 7 percent.

NEW MEXICO:

Allotment: 843,750 acre-feet.

Percentage of allocation that is developed: 94 percent

Population served: 92,000 in northwestern New Mexico entirely, plus portions of Santa Fe's 50,000 and Albuquerque's 384,000.

Percentage of contribution to meeting state's needs: 60 percent.

UTAH:

Allotment: 1.7 million acre-feet.

Percentage of allocation that is developed: 54 percent.

Population served: 1,180,000.

Percentage of contribution to meeting state's water needs: 15 percent.

WYOMING:

Basin area within Wyoming: 17,104 miles (16 percent of state).

Percentage of upper Colorado River basin land area within state: 16 percent (109,580 square miles).

Percentage of upper Colorado River basin allocation: 14 percent.

Colorado River facts:

- Length: 1,400 miles

- Upper basin states: Wyoming, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico

- Lower basin states: Arizona, California and Nevada

- Population served: nearly 25 million

- Amount of water in an acre-feet: almost 326,000 gallons

- Amount allotted to seven basin states: 16 million acre-feet (7.5 million to each basin and an additional 1 million to the lower basin).

- Amount guaranteed to Mexico: 1.5 million acre-feet (750,000 acre-feet from each basin).

Average individual daily water use, calculated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service:

Flushing: 5-7 gallons.

Showering: 25 gallons.

Bathing: 40 gallons.

Brushing teeth: 5 gallons (tap running).

Washing hands and face: 2 gallons (tap running).

Drinking: 1 gallon.

Cleaning vegetables: 3 gallons (tap running).

Dishwasher: 16 gallons.

Dishes by hand: 30 gallons (tap running).

Washing clothes: 60 gallons.

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