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Documentation of Methods and Inventory of Irrigation Information Collected for the 2015 U.S. Geological Survey Estimated Use of Water in the United States

Scientific Investigations Report 2020-5139
By: , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20205139

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Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water-Use Science Project strives to report water-use estimates using the best available information for the period of the estimates. The information available on water used for irrigation activities varies from State to State and in some areas from county to county within a State, which results in many information sources and methods being used to estimate water withdrawals and consumption for the Nation. The variety of estimation methods makes it difficult to compare information across States and makes it difficult to understand how different methods or data sources bias irrigation water-use estimates and trends over time. The sources of information and methods used by USGS Water Science Centers to estimate irrigation water use (the number of irrigated acres by irrigation system type, withdrawal values by water source type, and consumed-water values) for 2015 are compiled and described herein to assist with interpreting the water-use estimates. State-level summaries of information sources and methods are compiled in appendix 1, and a dataset of calendar-year, county-level estimates of actual evapotranspiration for the conterminous United States and Hawaii is provided in an associated USGS data release.

Suggested Citation

Painter, J.A., Brandt, J.T., Caldwell, R.R., Haynes, J.V., and Read, A.L., 2021, Documentation of methods and inventory of irrigation information collected for the 2015 U.S. Geological Survey estimated use of water in the United States: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2020–5139, 39 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20205139.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Sources of Information and Methods Used to Estimate Irrigation Water Use
  • Discussion
  • Summary
  • References Cited
  • Appendix 1. Information Sources and Method Summaries by State for Estimating Irrigation Water Use for the 2015 U.S. Geological Survey Water-Use Compilation
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Documentation of methods and inventory of irrigation information collected for the 2015 U.S. Geological Survey estimated use of water in the United States
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2020-5139
DOI 10.3133/sir20205139
Year Published 2021
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Arizona Water Science Center, Georgia Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, WY-MT Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center
Description Report: vi, 39 p.; Data Release
Country United States
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details