Much of California’s Colorado River water is used for agriculture
Water use in millions of acre-feet
![A diagram shows how much Colorado River water goes to agricultural versus other uses. The Imperial Irrigation District uses the vast majority.](/projects/colorado-river-in-crisis/assets/img/ai2html/ca-water-use-desktop.a359e5f8.jpg)
Tribes 0.03
Palo Verde Irrigation District 0.35
Imperial Irrigation District 2.5
Agriculture
California’s share of
Colorado River use
4.1 million acre-feet
Coachella Valley Water District 0.35
Metropolitan Water District 0.82
Cities
![A diagram shows how much Colorado River water goes to agricultural versus other uses. The Imperial Irrigation District uses the vast majority.](/projects/colorado-river-in-crisis/assets/img/ai2html/ca-water-use-420.3a027078.jpg)
Tribes 0.03
Palo Verde Irrigation District
0.35
Agriculture
Imperial Irrigation District
2.5
California’s share of
Colorado River use
4.1 million acre-feet
Coachella Valley Water District
0.35
Metropolitan Water
District
0.82
Cities
Figures show 2020 water use. The Bureau of Reclamation lists water use in categories including agricultural and municipal/industrial. In some cases, local agencies use water for both purposes.
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
Sean Greene LOS ANGELES TIMES