Frequently asked Questions

Diverted water is water that is taken out of its natural course—such as a river, stream, or lake—and moved for a specific use. In Utah, this usually means water diverted under a water right into canals, pipes, or ditches for irrigation, municipal supply, industry, or other purposes. It’s different from “consumptive use,” because not all diverted water is used up; some returns to the system as runoff, seepage, or return flows that can be used again downstream.

Agricultural and park sprinklers often run during the day because the system size and available flow limit when irrigation can occur. There isn’t enough capacity to deliver all the needed water just at night, so watering is spread across both day and night to ensure crops or turf receive sufficient water.

Water is often delivered on the “turn” in most of Utah’s canal systems. This means that each shareholder is on a schedule of when they can take the water in rotation along the ditch. The duration of the “turn” is proportional to the number of shares owned. Thus, time of use is measured, not quantity of water. It is essential to determine the appropriate number of shares needed to irrigate your property and to understand when the water is available.
See Water Rights in Utah for more info.

Water can be delivered to Great Salt Lake through water shepherding, supported by recent legislation that allows leasing or purchasing water rights for instream flow or the lake. Delivery depends on detailed measurement and accounting, with Water Commissioners monitoring about 700 sites on 13 distribution systems. Improvements are underway through the Utah Division of Water Rights and USU to add measurement and telemetry equipment, share streamflow and diversion data more openly, and make water rights accounting more transparent, though challenges remain in ensuring water reaches its intended destination.
See Water Shepherding Fact Sheet for more info.

A water right is established when the Utah Division of Water Rights gives a landowner or entity permission to use a set amount of water from a particular source for what is deemed a beneficial use, typically one that supports the economy. A water share is when a water owner, often an irrigation company, grants shareholders access to a portion of the water rights held by the company.
See Irrigation Companies and the Great Salt Lake for more info.

Economically, irrigated agriculture is vital. In 2022, farm cash receipts in the basin totaled nearly $881 million, with input spending estimated around $760 million. Combined with food processing, the sector contributes over $1.6 billion annually to Utah’s economy. Utah’s irrigated land mostly grows alfalfa, hay, and pasture, which are used to feed livestock. These crops make up more than 80% of what’s grown on irrigated land.

Irrigation for agriculture is responsible for nearly two-thirds of diverted water consumption in the Great Salt Lake Basin. The municipal and industrial sector accounts for about 25% of diverted water consumption, much of which is outdoor landscape irrigation.

Groundwater recharge happens when water moves downward through soil and rock to refill an aquifer. Aquifers can be depleted if pumping exceeds recharge over time, lowering water tables and reducing long-term storage.

In the Great Salt Lake Basin, irrigated agriculture provides a substantial economic contribution, exceeding $1.6 billion annually when receipts and inputs are considered.

The Great Salt Lake contributes an estimated $1.9 billion annually through mineral industries, wildlife habitat, recreation, and dust mitigation.

Surface irrigation can be economical and highly efficient on flat fields. Mechanical systems may be more expensive and less effective in some conditions.

Converting flood irrigation to sprinklers would likely not increase water reaching the lake because sprinklers often increase consumptive use.

Drip irrigation requires pressurization, filtration, and significant maintenance, making it impractical in some Utah fields.

Alfalfa exports range from about 9% to 22% annually. Actual water exported is less due to return flows and moisture loss during drying.

Surface, sprinkler, and drip irrigation systems each perform better under specific crop, soil, climate, and management conditions.

Alfalfa is productive, drought tolerant, and supports livestock, pollinators, and wildlife, making it a resilient crop across Utah.

Sagebrush is important wildlife habitat but is generally poor livestock feed and unsuitable as a large-scale alternative.

Less frequent irrigation, common in surface systems, can encourage deeper root growth compared to frequent sprinkler applications.

Irrigated pastures allow higher plant density and more frequent harvests, while dryland pastures rely on lower inputs and yields.

Seepage is measured using inflow-outflow measurements or ponding tests on sealed canal sections.

Cool-season crops such as small grains and alfalfa are best suited for short irrigation seasons in Utah.

Deficit irrigation strategies depend on the crop, with alfalfa performing best when fully irrigated early and allowed to go dormant later.

Intermediate wheatgrass, tall wheatgrass, tall fescue, and smooth brome are good pasture options under limited irrigation.