Water Consumption

Date posted: 07/31/2008

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 (Click here for definitions).

The following information focuses primarily on the main consumers of potable water in Larimer County, the City of Fort Collins and the City of Loveland. However, it should be noted that of all water consumed in Larimer County (2000), 83% was used for crop irrigation, while approximately 12% was used for domestic purposes (United States Geological Survey). To see a map of the main water supply channels and area water districts, click here).

What this chart shows: Average Annual Streamflow (by Elevation) - Larimer County Testing Sites, 2007

Data Source: United States Geological Survey National Water Information System

See data table

What these data tell us:

The testing sites with the highest streamflow discharge in Larimer County include the Cache La Poudre in Fort Collins (& Timnath), the Big Thompson River in Loveland, and the Big Thompson River in Estes Park (near 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 the populations along the northern Front Range grow, water shortages appear imminent. Projects like the Northern Integrated Supply Project are examples of communities in northern Colorado planning for future water supply needs.

What this chart shows: Average Annual Streamflow in Major Rivers of Larimer County, 1988-2007

Note: Water sampling sites were in Fort Collins & Loveland (Cache La Poudre and Big Thompson, respectively).

Data Source: United States Geological Survey National Water Information System

See data table

What these data tell us:

The most recent drought in Larimer County began in 2000. The drought reached its highest severity in 2002 (Cache La Poudre) and 2003 (Big Thompson). 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 (Natural Resources Conservation Service).

What this chart shows: Total Water Consumption - Community Water Systems Serving Larimer County, 2007

*North Weld County Water District serves the Town of Windsor and other areas of Larimer County that border Weld County.

Data Sources: City of Fort Collins, City of Loveland, Town of Berthoud, Town of Estes Park, Town of Wellington, Fort Collins-Loveland Water District, Little Thompson Water District, East Larimer County Water District, West Fort Collins Water District, North Weld County Water District, North Carter Lake Water District, Pinewood Springs Water District, Northern Colorado Water Association, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District.

See data table

What these data tell us:

During 2007, the community water systems that consumed the most water in Larimer County were the City of Fort Collins and the City of Loveland (first and second, respectively). This can be attributed to the number of people served (see Public Drinking Water Quality for 2006 data).

Larimer County uses water from numerous community water systems. In addition to sources displayed in the chart, the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District delivers water to 33 communities throughout Northeastern Colorado (click here to view NCWCD's website) and the Northern Colorado Water Association delivers drinking water from 10 miles south of the Wyoming Border to the area north of Fort Collins. Additionally, two water districts (High Drive of Estes Park and Sunset of Fort Collins) function in the distribution of water provided by larger agencies (Town of Estes Park and East Larimer County Water District, respectively).

These water systems primarily draw water from the Big Thompson River (via the Colorado-Big Thompson Water Project) and the Cache La Poudre River. To see a map of the Colorado-Big Thompson Water Project facilities and boundaries, click here. In 2007, six community water systems exceeded 1 billion gallons of water usage. Of these, five served the Fort Collins and Loveland areas. See Additional Information to learn more about main water sources for Fort Collins and Loveland.

What this chart shows: Total Water Consumption - Fort Collins & Loveland, 1998-2007

Data Source: Fort Collins Utilities, City of Loveland Utilities

See data table

What these data tell us:

During the period 1998-2007, Fort Collins used an average of 9.1 billion gallons of water per year, while Loveland averaged 3.4 billion gallons per year. Overall, total water consumption in both communities grew during this period. However, Loveland utilized 719 million (23%) more gallons of water in 2007 than in 1998, while Fort Collins used 239 million gallons less (-5%).

Total water consumption in Fort Collins and Loveland decreased between 2000 and 2004. Local officials attribute the decrease to drought-caused water restrictions (and implementation of a new tiered billing in 2004 for City of Fort Collins).

In 2000, Coloradoans consumed 12.6 billion gallons of water per day (5^th among the states in total water withdrawals. The high usage is the result of statewide irrigation, utilizing 11.4 billion gallons a day (Colorado ranks 3^rd in this category). In Public Sector water usage (the focus of this data) Coloradoans consumed 900 million gallons a day (14^th in the nation).

Additional Information:

Main Water Sources -

Fort Collins:

• Cache La Poudre River
• Horsetooth Reservoir

Loveland:

• The Big Thompson River
• Green Ridge Glade Reservoir

Return to Text

On Compass-

• Electricity Consumption
• Natural Gas Consumption
• Population Size & Growth
• Public Drinking Water Quality
• Wind Energy Consumption

Outside Compass-

• Colorado Water: The Big Picture: 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.
• Colorado State University: Listing of Colorado Diversion Projects, including transmountain projects.
• 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 Office of Emergency Management - State Water Supply Data Sources: Links to data sources on many factors affecting Colorado's water supply, including reservoir storage, snowpack, and climate conditions.
• Colorado State University - Colorado Water Knowledge: A variety of links related to Colorado's water supply and accompanying environmental issues.
• Colorado State University Cooperative Extension - Irrigation Ditches and Their Operation: Detailed explanation of the irrigation ditch system, along with contact information and frequently asked questions.
• 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

Data Tables:

Average Annual Streamflow (by Elevation)- Larimer County Testing Sites, 2007

Testing Site	Elevation (ft. above sea level)	Micrograms per Cubic Meter
Joe Wright Creek (above Reservoir)	9,990	12
Joe Wright Creek (below Reservoir)	9,710	17
Big Thompson River - Moraine Park	8,005	37
Cache La Poudre River (North Fork) Below Halligan Reservoir	6,310	52
Cache La Poudre River (North Fork) Livermore	5,715	16
Cache La Poudre River- Fort Collins	4,940	81
Big Thompson River- Loveland	4,906	27
Cache La Poudre River- Timnath	4,860	49

See chart

Average Annual Streamflow (Cubic feet per Second) in Major Rivers of Larimer County

	Big Thompson	Cache La Poudre
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

See chart

Total Water Consumption (in Millions of Gallons)- Community Water Systems Serving Larimer County, 2007

Community Water System	Water Consumed
City of Fort Collins	8,860
City of Loveland	3,814
Fort Collins-Loveland Water District	2,906
North Weld County Water District	2,154
Little Thompson Water District	1,587
East Larimer County	1,152
Town of Estes Park	444
Town of Berthoud	332
Town of Wellington	285
Northern Colorado Water Association	278
West Fort Collins Water District	166
North Carter Lake Water District	16
Pinewood Springs	7

See chart

Total Water Consumption (Millions of Gallons)

	Fort Collins	Loveland
1997	8,768	2,770
1998	9,350	3,095
1999	9,000	2,905
2000	10,295	3,771
2001	9,978	3,661
2002	9,599	3,236
2003	8,280	3,040
2004	7,982	2,918
2005	8,497	3,391
2006	9,268	4,046
2007	8,860	3,814

See chart

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