How much water does each crop use?
We estimate irrigation for each crop in the United States, by county, year, & water source.
Our database of ~2.5 million data points is freely available.
Paper (open access): agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/20…
Data: databank.illinois.edu/datasets/IDB-4…
We estimate irrigation for each crop in the United States, by county, year, & water source.
Our database of ~2.5 million data points is freely available.
Paper (open access): agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/20…
Data: databank.illinois.edu/datasets/IDB-4…
How did we do this?
We fused statistical information & a global hydrological model.
We used PCR-GLOBWB 2 with high-resolution inputs for the U.S.
Irrigation volumes are constrained to match total surface & groundwater volumes in the USGS Water Use database.
We fused statistical information & a global hydrological model.
We used PCR-GLOBWB 2 with high-resolution inputs for the U.S.
Irrigation volumes are constrained to match total surface & groundwater volumes in the USGS Water Use database.
What do we find?
Animal feed uses the most water across crops & water sources.
Sweet potatoes use the least irrigation water.
Soybeans use a significant amount of groundwater, but most of this does not contribute to depletion.
Animal feed uses the most water across crops & water sources.
Sweet potatoes use the least irrigation water.
Soybeans use a significant amount of groundwater, but most of this does not contribute to depletion.
Largest changes by water source?
Rice decreased surface water use by 71%
Sugar beets increased groundwater use by 232%
Rapeseed increased groundwater depletion by 405%.
Rice decreased surface water use by 71%
Sugar beets increased groundwater use by 232%
Rapeseed increased groundwater depletion by 405%.
Other notable changes?
Produce used less surface water, but more irrigation from groundwater & depletion, particularly in the Central Valley of California.
Rice & wheat decreased their total irrigation water use across all water sources.
Produce used less surface water, but more irrigation from groundwater & depletion, particularly in the Central Valley of California.
Rice & wheat decreased their total irrigation water use across all water sources.
Thank you to @niko_wanders & @WaterBier for the wonderful collaboration!
This study was led by @PJRuess.
This study was led by @PJRuess.
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