USDA survey shows decline in U.S. irrigated acres and water use

The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has released its 2023 Irrigation and Water Management Survey, highlighting trends in water use and irrigation practices among American farms.

The data reveal a decrease in the number of irrigated farms, total irrigated acreage, and overall water usage since 2018, with 212,714 farms irrigating 53.1 million acres and applying 81 million acre-feet of water nationwide in 2023.

“The 2023 Irrigation and Water Management Survey offers detailed, comprehensive, up-to-date information on water usage, management, and investment within the agriculture industry,” said Joseph L. Parsons, administrator for NASS.

Key findings show that water use in 2023 decreased by 2.8% compared to 2018, while the average water applied per acre remained steady at 1.5 acre-feet. More than half of the irrigation water (54%) came from on-farm wells, with an average well depth of 241 feet. Sprinkler systems covered 12.6 million more acres than gravity irrigation, underscoring a shift toward efficient water application methods.

The survey also indicated that five states — Arkansas, California, Idaho, Nebraska, and Texas — accounted for nearly half of all irrigated acres and more than half of all water applied across the country.

“Irrigation investments totaled $3 billion for equipment, facilities, and technology, while energy costs for water pumping reached $3.3 billion,” Parsons noted, emphasizing the financial commitment involved in water management.

This survey provides valuable data for stakeholders across agriculture, including farm organizations, state agriculture departments, and policymakers, to improve water efficiency and inform federal programs.

For full survey details, visit nass.usda.gov/AgCensus.