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NReport: 90 percent of Colorado River irrigation water used to feed cattle

More Colorado River water is used to grow alfalfa than for drinking water, business needs and industrial uses in the basin where California, Arizona and other states fight over restrictions.

As Wyoming and other states grapple with shrinking Colorado River water levels - new research pinpoints how much water is being diverted to feed cattle, to sprawling desert cities, and the river's 40 million other stakeholders. The stakes are high in a time of persistent and widespread drought. Brian Richter - president of Sustainable Waters - said if Upper Basin states can't deliver the volume of water required under a century-old agreement, Lower Basin states could force the issue with what's known as a compact call. ...

More Colorado River water is used to grow alfalfa than for drinking water, business needs and industrial uses in the basin where California, Arizona and other states fight over restrictions.

More Colorado River water is used to grow a single crop than for drinking water, business needs and industrial uses combined across the seven-state river basin that's home to more than 40 million people, a new analysis has found.