• Irrigation practices in the U.S. have been in decline since 2018.
• The Colorado River Basin states are especially reliant on irrigation systems.
• Farmers reduced water usage by 2.8% from 2018 to 2023.
• Irrigation-related energy costs hit $3.3 billion.
• USDA highlights the importance of sustainable water strategies.

November 14, 2024 — A newly published report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has shed light on shifting irrigation habits reshaping American agriculture. Their 2023 “Irrigation and Water Management Survey”  points to a steady drop in both irrigated farmland and overall water usage since 2018. These trends were also seen in the Colorado River Basin, which includes Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.

Nationwide, between 2018 and 2023, the amount of irrigated land dropped from 55.9 million to 53.1 million acres, while water usage fell from 83.4 million acre-feet to 81 million acre-feet. Per acre, water usage hasn’t changed much, still averaging around 1.5 acre-feet. Yet, the USDA reports farmers are leaning harder on water-saving methods like efficient sprinklers, especially in Basin states. “Our data really captures the ways farms are trying to use water wisely,” noted Joseph L. Parsons, who heads the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Farmers across the Colorado River Basin, a region no stranger to drought concerns, are turning to advanced tech to keep water flowing where it counts most. Nationally, spending on irrigation systems has reached around $3 billion, with the bulk of this cost going directly to the power needed for pumping water. This surge in spending underlines the reality that, for many farmers, every drop counts amid the growing energy cost.

The Basin itself—a vital food-producing region—reflects these broader trends. On-farm wells, the go-to source of irrigation, make up more than half of all water used in the area. Yet these wells average 241 feet deep across the country, posing serious cost and environmental challenges as they grow deeper. With the USDA constantly refining how it gathers data on water use, these latest insights could shape federal and local policies to support sustainable farming in a world facing unpredictable climate shifts.

“As we look to improve water efficiency, this data serves everyone involved,” added Parsons. “Whether you’re a farmer or a policy maker, it’s about finding smarter ways to invest in and use technology.”

Sources:

USDA News Release:  “2023 Irrigation and Water Management data now available”

USDA “2023 Irrigation and Water Management Survey“

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