Compass Measure - Water Consumption

Index: Environment / Subcategory: Use of Resources

Water Consumption

Date Updated: 07/29/2011

Chart Directory:

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, 2010

Data Source: United States Geological Survey National Water Information System

See data table

What the above data tell us: 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 in Loveland. 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 in Larimer County, 1991-2010

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

See data table

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 [pdf] for more information.

What this chart shows: Total Water Consumption in Fort Collins & Loveland, 2001-2010

Data Sources:

City of Fort Collins Utilities (data not available online)
City of Loveland Utilities (data not available online)

See data table

What the above data tell us: During the period 2001-2010, Fort Collins used an average of 8.8 billion gallons of water per year, while Loveland averaged 3.3 billion gallons per year.

Between 2001 and 2010, total water consumption in Fort Collins decreased 21.5% and by 9.7% in Loveland. Local officials attribute the decrease to drought-caused water restrictions and implementation of a new tiered billing in 2004 for the City of Fort Collins.

In 2005, Coloradoans [pdf] consumed 13.6 billion gallons of water per day, 7^th 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 3^rd in this category). In Public Sector water usage (the focus of this data) Coloradoans consumed 894 million gallons a day (16^th in the nation).

Additional Information:

Main Water Sources:

Fort Collins:

Loveland:

The Big Thompson River
Green Ridge Glade Reservoir

Related Information On Compass -

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 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 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, 2010

Testing Site	Elevation (ft. above sea level)	Cubic Feet per Second
Joe Wright Creek (above Reservoir)	9,990	9.1
Joe Wright Creek (below Reservoir)	9,710	13.6
Big Thompson River - Moraine Park	8,005	53.9
Cache La Poudre River (North Fork) Below Halligan Reservoir	6,310	130.2
Cache La Poudre River (North Fork) Livermore	5,715	114.7
Cache La Poudre River- Fort Collins	4,940	249.6
Big Thompson River- Loveland	4,906	78.6
Cache La Poudre River- Timnath	4,860	217.5

See chart

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

	Big Thompson	Cache La Poudre
1991	30	95
1992	32	62
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

See chart

Total Water Consumption (Millions of Gallons)

	Fort Collins	Loveland
2001	9,978	3,256
2002	9,599	3,216
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

See chart