Efficient Conservation Measures in Irrigated Agriculture to Sustain Urban and Environmental Water Demands*

Abstract

T Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA)-San Antonio Water System (SAWS) Water Project (referred to here as the LSWP) emerged from the Texas regional water supply planning process directed by the Texas Water Development Board, mandated by Senate Bill 1 during the 1997 Texas Legislature. That planning process identified water supply needs and recommended solutions for the lower Colorado River Basin and the San Antonio region. Several factors related to avoiding future water shortage motivated the need for this proposed project. Both San Antonio and the lower Colorado River Basin face long-term water shortages (LCRA/SAWS ; Institute for Science, Technology, and Public Policy ; Norvell and Kluge ; Eaton and Kabir ). Cities, farmers, businesses, recreation, and the environment continue to see growing competition for water. The result of this growing competition points to three potential water shortfalls that could occur without special action. First, agriculture in the lower Colorado River Basin could face a water supply shortfall of up to 50% by 2050. This would significantly affect the rice-growing