Utah State University researcher, Maziyar Vaez Roudbari, is working on a project to test a new water-efficient sprinkler system for farms in Wayne County. The goal is to conserve water without sacrificing crop yields in a region heavily reliant on the Colorado River system. However, improving irrigation efficiency may not necessarily lead to water savings, as more efficient systems tend to increase consumptive water use.
Efficiency improvements in irrigation systems, such as converting leaky canals into pipes or upgrading sprinkler heads, have benefits like controlling weeds and pests and improving water quality. But these projects do not immediately make water available in the river basin.
While better efficiency in agriculture can help sustain farmers in a drier future, it may need to be combined with conservation efforts that reduce the total amount of water used by Utah agriculture, such as reducing irrigation acreage or switching to less water-intensive crops. Ultimately, achieving water savings in the Colorado River may require Western leaders to make trade-offs in agricultural practices.
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