Estimated Domestic, Irrigation, and Industrial Water Use in Washington, 2000

Abstract

Since 1950, the U.S. Geological Survey has published a series of Circulars and other reports on the estimated use of water in the United States at 5-year intervals. This report presents State, regional, and county estimates of the amount of water used for domestic, irrigation, and industrial purposes in the State of Washington during the year 2000. Domestic water use was estimated to be 674 million gallons per day and the per-capita rate, 114 gallons per day. Crop-irrigation water use was estimated to be 3,005 million gallons per day and the application rate, 2.2 acre-feet per acre per year, or feet per year. Golf-course irrigation water use was estimated to be 23.6 million gallons per day and the application rate, 1.4 feet per year. Industrial water use was estimated to be 681 million gallons per day. Historically, these core categories account for about 92 percent of the estimated offstream water used in Washington.

Impact of Recent Glacial Recession on Summer Streamflow in the Skagit River

“…in the past 50 has led to a 24 ± 9% decline in the glacial contribution to summer streamflow during warm dry years and a loss in volume of 3.01 ± 0.69 km 3 . The loss of ice in the watershed represents roughly 100 years of fresh water supply for Skagit County at its current rate of consumption (Lane 2004). Despite these losses, glaciers continue to supply 6-12% of the water passing the Concrete gaging station from May through September, and roughly twice that fraction in August and September.…”

Estimates of ground-water pumpage from the Yakima River Basin aquifer system, Washington, 1960-2000

“…Relation between ground-water pumpage categories and water-right purpose of use codes in Washington State Department of Ecology's Water Rights Tracking System …………………………………………………………… 17 Table 2. Estimated annual pumpage for public water supply, Yakima River Basin, Washington, 1960-2000 Table 3. Estimated annual pumpage for domestic use, Yakima River Basin, Washington, 1960-2000 Table 4.…”

“…Estimated annual pumpage for public water supply, Yakima River Basin, Washington, 1960-2000 Table 3. Estimated annual pumpage for domestic use, Yakima River Basin, Washington, 1960-2000 Table 4. Estimated annual pumpage for irrigation water rights, Yakima River Basin, Washington, 2000 ………………………………………………………………… 34 Table 5.…”

“…Estimated annual pumpage for irrigation water rights, Yakima River Basin, Washington, 2000 ………………………………………………………………… 34 Table 5. Estimated irrigation pumpage, by primary and standby/reserve water rights, in 5-year increments, Yakima River Basin, Washington, 1960-2000. Estimated annual pumpage for livestock use in 5-year increments, Yakima River Basin, Washington, 1960-2000 ……………………………………………… 40 Table 7.…”

“…The TCWRA estimate for public water systems was about 74,700 acre-ft (24.3 Bgal). Lane (2004) estimated withdrawals for 2000 for the entire three-county area. The estimated total withdrawal was 166,143 acre-ft (54 Bgal) of which 54 percent (about 90,000 acre-ft) was for irrigation.…”