Agricultural Irrigated Land and Irrigation Water Use in Utah

Authors

Burdette Barker, Utah State UniversityFollow
Matt Yost, Utah State UniversityFollow
Cody Zesiger, Utah State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publisher

Utah State University Extension

Publication Date

7-31-2023

First Page

1

Last Page

13

Abstract

Utah is considered the second driest state in the United States. As a result, much of the agriculture and horticulture in Utah depends upon irrigation. Irrigation is an important feature of agriculture in Utah. The distribution of irrigated and water use varies across the state, based on water availability, topography, and soils. In recent years, sprinkler irrigation has overtaken surface methods as the dominant irrigation method, based on irrigated area, in Utah. About 75% to 80% of water withdrawals in Utah are for irrigation, with about 68% of that water being consumptive use. Alfalfa, other hay crops, and pasture are grown on about 80% of irrigated agricultural lands in Utah.

Recommended Citation

Barker, B., Yost, M., & Zesiger, C. (2022). Agricultural irrigated land and irrigation water use in Utah. Utah State University Extension.