Water keeps Colorado running

 

 

 

86%

of Colorado’s water is used for agriculture. But up to 33% of irrigated farms could dry up.

Water controls our food supply.

Farmers need suitable water sources to irrigate their farms. But growing cities are looking for water, too. By 2050, Colorado could lose 500,000-700,00 acres of currently irrigated farmland to meet the demands of municipal growth.

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18

states and the Republic of Mexico share rivers that begin in Colorado.

9 interstate compacts determine how that water is shared.

Learn how state administrators work with water users to meet the terms of these legal agreements.

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80%

of Coloradans drink water that flows out of national forest land – and forest fires threaten that water.

Forest, fire and water are inextricably linked.

Ash, nutrients and sediment pollute water after fires. Wildfires are a reality for those living in the West, but the impact on the landscape lingers long after the smoke is gone.

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1973

When Colorado’s legislature created the Instream Flow Program

The Colorado Water Conservation Board is the only entity legally able to hold instream flow water rights.

Since then more than 9,700 miles of stream have been preserved through the acquisition and appropriation of instream flow water rights. A new market-based approach to acquire water rights from willing owners could help keep more water flowing in Colorado’s rivers.

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40%

The variance of traditional ground-based forecasting methods for snowmelt

Melting snow from the mountains drives Colorado’s water supply.

A new space-based monitoring system developed by NASA researchers could improve the accuracy of snowpack and runoff forecasts to within 2 percent, which would make a world of difference for water managers looking to tighten operations in water-strapped systems.

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We ensure a better future for Colorado through water education.

UPCOMING EVENT

Dec. 6 Webinar on Colorado’s New Academic Standards

Join Water Education Colorado and the Colorado Association for Environmental Education online on Thursday, December 6 at 3:00-4:00pm for a webinar to discuss how environmental and water education programs can support and enhance standards-based curriculum. This training is completely free.

Register here