In reference to comments about ag water use in a recent Daily Post editorial, here’s some information from our local National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS):
Between 2015 and 2024, 44 ag producers in Archuletta spent $920,000 for irrigation gated pipe to use on 10,833 acres of land. It is estimated producers will increase efficient use of water by 25%.
That’s about half of the irrigated acres of 21,457 in the county.
If we use the State average use of water for irrigated pastures, 1.6 acre feet per acre, 2018, times 325,850 gal of water in one acre foot of water, we get 521,360 gal per acre… times 21,457 acres equals to 11 billion gallons used per year by ag producers.
Just another way at looking at water use.
J M Smith
Pagosa Springs