Water Consumption
Date updated: 03/19/2013
- Average Annual Streamflow (by Elevation) - Larimer County Testing Sites, 2011 vs. 2012
- Average Annual Streamflow in Major Rivers of Larimer County, 1993-2012
- Total Water Consumption- Fort Collins and Loveland, 2003-2012
- Per Capita Water Consumption- Fort Collins and Loveland, 2003-2012
- Residential Water Consumption- Fort Collins and Loveland, 2003-2012
- Commercial Water Consumption- Fort Collins and Loveland, 2003-2012
Water consumption refers to water removed from the immediate water environment through evaporation, leakage, incorporation into products or crops, and/or ingestion by humans or livestock, etc. Water is consumed for a variety of purposes including: public supply, commercial/ industrial, domestic/ residential, thermoelectric power, livestock, mining, and irrigation. (See definitions)
The following information focuses primarily on the main consumers of potable water in the Cities of Fort Collins and Loveland. However, it should be noted that of all water consumed in Larimer County (2005), 83% was used for crop irrigation, while approximately 7% was used for domestic purposes (United States Geological Survey). See map of the main water supply channels and area water districts.
What this chart shows: Average Annual Streamflow (by Elevation) at Larimer County Testing Sites, 2011 vs. 2012
Data Source: United States Geological Survey National Water Information System
What the above data tell us:
Normally, the testing sites with the highest streamflow discharge in Larimer County include the Cache La Poudre in Fort Collins, North Fork and Timnath, and the Big Thompson River at Moraine Park. This is primarily due to converging water systems and the use of feeder canals to bring water to the areas of population. As drought conditions in Larimer worsened in 2012, streamflow dropped precipitately. The Cache La Poudre at Livermore, Fort Collins, and Timnath dropped more than 75% in 2012.As the populations along the northern Front Range grow, water shortages appear imminent. Projects like the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP) are examples of communities in northern Colorado planning for future water supply needs.
What this chart shows: Average Annual Streamflow in Major Rivers in Larimer County, 1993-2012
Note: Water sampling sites were in Fort Collins and Loveland (Cache La Poudre and Big Thompson, respectively).
Data Source: United States Geological Survey National Water Information System
What the above data tell us:
The most recent drought in Larimer County began in 2000. The drought reached its highest severity in 2002 for the Cache La Poudre River and 2003 and again in 2007 for the Big Thompson River. Recent data appears to show that area rivers are experiencing unusually long drought conditions, however when viewed historically the drought may be part of a natural cycle. Most annual streamflow in the western United States originates as snowfall that has accumulated in the mountains during winter and early spring. See the Colorado Basin Outlook Report for more information.What this chart shows: Total Water Consumption in Fort Collins & Loveland, 2003-2012
Data Sources:
- City of Fort Collins Utilities (data not available online)
- City of Loveland Utilities (data not available online)
What the above data tell us:
During the period 2003-2012, Fort Collins used an average of 8.3 billion gallons of water per year, while Loveland averaged 3.6 billion gallons per year. Between 2003 and 2012, total water consumption in Fort Collins increased 5.8% and 38.1% in Loveland.In 2005, Coloradoans [pdf] consumed 13.6 billion gallons of water per day, 7th among the states in total water withdrawals. The high usage is the result of statewide irrigation, utilizing 12.3 billion gallons a day (Colorado ranks 3rd in this category). In Public Sector water usage (the focus of this data) Coloradoans consumed 894 million gallons a day (16th in the nation).
Additional Information:
Main Water Sources:
- The Big Thompson River
- Green Ridge Glade Reservoir
Related Information on COMPASS:
- Electricity Consumption
- Population Size & Growth
- Public Drinking Water Quality
- Wind Energy Consumption
Other Resources:
- Colorado Water: The Big Picture [pdf]: General facts about Colorado water published by the League of Women Voters.
- Colorado by the Numbers: Background summary of Colorado's water issues (excerpt of book by Doug Freed).
- U.S. Department of the Interior: More information on the Colorado-Big Thompson Project.
- City of Fort Collins Utilities - Water Department: Department homepage, with information on history, water quality, water treatment processes, and more.
- City of Loveland Water and Power Department: Department homepage. Information on water quality, conservation, and xeriscaping.
- Colorado Division of Water Resources - Surface Water Supply Index: Monthly updates on the state of Colorado's water supply.
- Colorado Water Conservation Board: State-appointed board charged with protection and management of Colorado's water supply.
- EPA Water Use Efficiency Program: The EPA's program for water conservation, including information on water conservation for individuals and corporations, drought management, and more.
- EPA: 'How to Conserve Water and Use It Effectively': EPA factsheet with conservation tips for both residential and commercial/industrial water consumers.
- Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District: Information about the NCWCD, a public agency that provides water for agricultural, municipal, domestic and industrial uses in northeastern Colorado.
- Town of Estes Park Water Department: Department homepage, with contact and capacity information.
- Water Information Program - Colorado Water Rights: A brief explanation of Colorado water history and the water rights system.
Industry Standards or Target: N/A
Average Annual Streamflow (by Elevation)- Larimer County Testing Sites
|
Elevation (ft. above sea level) |
Cubic Feet per Second |
||
|
2011 |
2012 |
||
|
Joe Wright Creek (above Reservoir) |
9,990 | 10.1 | 4.5 |
|
Joe Wright Creek (below Reservoir) |
9,710 | 26.0 | 8.6 |
|
Big Thompson River - Moraine Park |
8,005 | 93.7 | 32.3 |
|
Cache La Poudre River (North Fork) Below Halligan Reservoir |
6,310 | 105.6 | 35.0 |
|
Cache La Poudre River (North Fork) Livermore |
5,715 | 70.8 | 10.3 |
|
Cache La Poudre River- Fort Collins |
4,940 | 350.0 | 84.9 |
|
Big Thompson River- Loveland |
4,906 | 45.1 | 51.7 |
|
Cache La Poudre River- Timnath |
4,860 | 287.1 | 56.3 |
Average Annual Streamflow (Cubic feet per Second) in Major Rivers of Larimer County
|
Big Thompson |
Cache La Poudre |
|
|
1993 |
35 | 133 |
|
1994 |
32 | 64 |
|
1995 |
170 | 256 |
|
1996 |
36 | 179 |
|
1997 |
105 | 254 |
|
1998 |
82 | 166 |
|
1999 |
95 | 329 |
|
2000 |
39 | 83 |
|
2001 |
31 | 50 |
|
2002 |
35 | 33 |
|
2003 |
27 | 74 |
|
2004 |
50 | 76 |
|
2005 |
62 | 115 |
|
2006 |
45 | 93 |
|
2007 |
27 | 81 |
|
2008 |
30 | 96 |
|
2009 |
30 | 111 |
|
2010 |
79 | 250 |
|
2011 |
45 | 350 |
|
2012 |
52 | 85 |
Total Water Consumption (Millions of Gallons)
|
Fort Collins |
Loveland |
|
|
2003 |
8,280 |
3,034 |
|
2004 |
7,982 |
2,962 |
|
2005 |
8,497 |
3,353 |
|
2006 |
9,268 |
4,001 |
|
2007 |
8,860 |
3,788 |
|
2008 |
8,352 |
3,786 |
|
2009 |
7,391 |
3,218 |
|
2010 |
7,830 |
3,573 |
|
2011 |
7,621 |
3,670 |
|
2012 |
8,757 |
4,189 |