Colorado and the West is running out of water . . . (Denver: 2009, houses)

[lone sailor]

Originally Posted by Katiana

I never thought I'd be doing this, but I'm going to recommend a thread of jazzlover's for those who don't seem to understand the CO water situation.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/color...out-water.html

Funny, you must not have clicked the link I posted.

[Katiana]

There is something to be said for sustainable agriculture, too. Why try to grow cotton, which takes a lot of water, in a desert?

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by Katiana

There is something to be said for sustainable agriculture, too. Why try to grow cotton, which takes a lot of water, in a desert?

Using your logic, we should dry up all of the agriculture in California--after all, it uses a lot of water. Say goodbye to California oranges, avocados, walnuts, etc., etc. Fact is, irrigated agriculture supplies a huge amount of the US food supply, including some products that would not grow in quantity in the US, except for some areas in which the climate is ideal for them--other than requiring supplemental irrigation.

Yes, agriculture does use a lot of water. Why? Duh--because plants transevaporate water to the atmosphere as part of their growing process. Now, which plants do I think should have high priority on water? Stuff that makes things I can eat or wear--hay and alfalfa for cattle and sheep, grains that I can eat, vegetables and fruits, and fibers for clothing, etc. Not a bunch of BS Kentucky bluegrass.

Bet you didn't know that Colorado used to be one of the top agricultural states in the US--both in terms of being a leader in production of several crops, and for the broad diversity of crops grown here. That has been squandered at the alter of stupid population growth ensconced in sprawling subdivisions--much of it in the last 30 years, not coincidentally when most of the posters on this forum showed up in Colorado. Cause and effect? You bet!

[Katiana]

Thanks for telling me to leave, jazzlover.

I'm not opposed to irrigation per se, I'm just saying, we need to look at sustainable agriculture as well. It's the same as not growing KY bluegrass in the lawn. Do you NEED to grow cotton in AZ? I don't see people running around naked because it's not being done any more. Agriculture is a sacred cow. It needs to be looked at in the same way as everything else that requires supplemental water.

[Shuffler]

stopping the idiocy of subsidizing the Ethanol industry would save some water...using food for fuel is pretty short-sighted.

municipalities could also stop approving new retail/office/housing developments that include vast expanses of grass that needs to be watered, fertilized, and mowed...and also incent homeowners to xeriscape and allow for some basic rainwater collection.

[Josseppie]

zeroscape is ugly and I would never get rid of my lawn for that, but then again I live in Pueblo and we have enough water so I do not have to worry about it.

[Shuffler]

Originally Posted by Josseppie

zeroscape is ugly and I would never get rid of my lawn for that, but then again I live in Pueblo and we have enough water so I do not have to worry about it.

That's the spirit!

[Josseppie]

Originally Posted by Shuffler

That's the spirit!

LOL what can I say, I don't like it.

I think rocks and cactus are less pretty then Kentucky blue grass and flowers and shrubs and trees. That is why I use over 50,000 gallons of water a month in the summer, and as much as 85,000 gallons if its really dry. But being in Pueblo my bill is never over $300 a month.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by Katiana

Thanks for telling me to leave, jazzlover.

I'm not opposed to irrigation per se, I'm just saying, we need to look at sustainable agriculture as well. It's the same as not growing KY bluegrass in the lawn. Do you NEED to grow cotton in AZ? I don't see people running around naked because it's not being done any more. Agriculture is a sacred cow. It needs to be looked at in the same way as everything else that requires supplemental water.

We are rapidly approaching a time when we will need every acre of farm ground that we can use. If current trends continue, the US will be a net food importer within a decade. Is agriculture a "sacred cow?" It is for me--I happen to like having enough to eat!

By the way, having spent part of my working career in agriculture, I know what it takes to produce food. It's not easy, cheap, or simple. If all of those suburbanites had to work on a farm for a year or two, they might understand what it actually takes to keep them fed--and that all of that food just doesn't magically appear on the store shelf. Of course, few of them would ever consider "lowering" themselves to do such "menial" work.

[bullfish15]

Originally Posted by Josseppie

LOL what can I say, I don't like it.

I think rocks and cactus are less pretty then Kentucky blue grass and flowers and shrubs and trees. That is why I use over 50,000 gallons of water a month in the summer, and as much as 85,000 gallons if its really dry. But being in Pueblo my bill is never over $300 a month.

Shame on you for wasting 50,000 gallons of water a month. That is as stupid as filling up a shopping cart at the grocery store with steaks and throwing them into the ditch. Your lack of regard for natural resources is disturbing.

Shame on you.