An investigation conducted by ProPublica and The Desert Sun has shed light on the excessive water use by farming families in California. The study revealed that 20 farming families in one region, the Imperial Valley, were responsible for the majority of water consumption. These families primarily used the water to grow hay for livestock feed.
The Colorado River, which provides water for drinking, irrigation, and hydropower to over 40 million people across seven states, is gradually drying up in the Southwest United States. A study from the University of California found that human-driven climate change has caused the river’s flow to decrease by more than 10% from 2000 to 2021. If greenhouse gas emissions are not controlled, it is projected that the river’s flow could drop by more than 20% by 2050 due to insufficient snow melting and contributing to the river.
As concerns grow about the dwindling Colorado River, governments, activists, and locals are searching for ways to reduce water usage and preserve this vital resource. The investigation revealed that the Imperial Valley in southern California consumes more water than the rest of the state combined, with most of the water being used by just 20 farming families. These families primarily grow hay, a crop known for its high water requirements due to deep roots, a long growing season, and dense vegetation.
Reporters from ProPublica and The Desert Sun estimated the water consumption of farming families in the Imperial Valley by combining satellite data with ownership and farming records. The family with the highest water usage was found to have consumed over 84 billion gallons in 2022, equivalent to more than the entire flow of the Colorado River to the region. Critics argue that exporting hay from the valley essentially exports valuable water from drought-stricken areas that need it the most.
Hay is predominantly used as livestock feed, contributing to 11% to 20% of greenhouse gas emissions. However, the profitability of growing hay in the Imperial Valley is supported by cheap water provided by the US Bureau of Reclamation. To address the excessive water use, the Biden administration allocated $125 million to incentivize Colorado River farmers to stop farming and allow their crops to go dry. However, some farmers believe this amount is insufficient to deter them from growing. The federal government has also introduced initiatives to assist farmers in adopting water conservation techniques, such as using sprinklers instead of flooding fields.
The issue of excessive water use in agriculture is not limited to California. Farmers in other states, like Troy Waters, a fifth-generation farmer in Colorado, are also grappling with the need to conserve water to protect the river. Waters expressed frustration that similar efforts were not being seen in California and emphasized the increasing need for farmers to engage in political discussions.
As the Colorado River faces an uncertain future, efforts to curb water use and find sustainable solutions are crucial in order to prevent further depletion of this vital water source.
