Nearly Half Of All Colorado River Water Feeds Cows: Study
The next time you order a hamburger, you may want to keep an eye on the Colorado River water levels. A new study says they have uncovered the top destination of the rapidly drying river water goes to feeding cows.
The study, led by Sustainable Waters president and water conservation expert Brian Richter, sought to discover where exactly all this water is going. After all, the river used to stretch all the way down to the Pacific Ocean. Now what is left is barely a trickle, with Lake Mead and Powell sinking to dangerously low levels.
Feeding Cows Takes A Lot Of Colorado River Water
When you sink your teeth into a juicy burger, you aren’t thinking of a jug of water. But maybe you should.
What the study found was that nearly half – 46 percent – of all the water being used from the Colorado is used to create food for cows to eat. Those half-ton cattle take a lot of food to get up to that weight.
It is estimated that every pound of beef you see on the shelves of your local grocery stores takes over 1800 gallons of water. Quite a lot of that has to do with the ridiculously thirsty alfalfa crop. Impossible Burgers, which you may have seen available at your local store or fast food restaurant, takes nearly one-tenth as much water to create.
Your Long Shower Isn’t The Reason For The Drought
Here in Southern Nevada, the water usage has dropped significantly over the last couple decades despite growing wildly in population. A lot of that has to do with the hard work of the SNWA and Las Vegas Valley Water District getting the public educated.
Water that hits a drain in Las Vegas finds its way through the tunnels and sewers, to a treatment facility, and back to the lake. Lawns, on the other hand, soak up the water and don’t let go. That’s why you never see commercials about taking shorter showers.
So the next time you order a double cheeseburger, picture 18 bathtubs worth of water.
10 Fun Things to Do at the Lake
Swimming in the cool waters
I grew up a swimmer, but some lakes are just too cold for my taste. That said, many people love a refreshing dip into crisp, cold water at their local lake. Just check temperatures before you jump in, because if it’s too early in the season, those temperatures could be dangerously cold.
Little kid swimming in the lake. Getty Images.
Camping near the shoreline
Water often attracts special wildlife that you won’t find anywhere else. That makes camping near a lake a very special experience and different from the typical campground. When you’re camping, make sure you check out the nature that blossoms around the lakes and wetlands, too.
Campsite with orange tent. Getty Images.
Fishing
When I was a little kid, I wanted to go fishing. My dad was not a fisherman by any means and was pretty clueless about it. So, he had a friend of his take us fishing, and it was so fun, even though I didn’t catch anything. That said, fishing is a great summer activity on the lake.
Father and son fishing on boat. Getty Images.
Paddleboarding, kayaking or canoeing
If you’re looking for an activity to help keep you in shape, paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing are all great exercise. All of those activities are harder than they look, too, so they can be challenging. But, in the end, you’ll have a good time and get in a real workout. Many lakes have places were you can rent a paddleboat, kayak or canoe, too.
Couple kayaking together. Getty Images.
Water sports
One of my cousins absolutely loves jet skiing. It’s always fun to hear him talk about the experience. I’m not much of a water sports enthusiast, but I can appreciate those who do partake. You don’t even have to have your own boat or jet skis, as they are often available for rent nearby.
Young man riding jet boat on a summer day at the lake. Getty Images.
Have a picnic
It’s always a charming activity to have a picnic by the lake. Invite some friends or family over and bring some delicious food to enjoy while looking at the water. Oh, and make sure to have ice cream. That’s a must.
Picnic by the lake. Basket with berries, bread. Getty Images.
Take a hike
Hiking near a lake can be extra lovely, as the water can offer glorious scenery to really make your hike memorable. As aforementioned, lakes often attract nature that you don’t find anywhere else, so hiking around the water can be a unique experience.
Woman with a small yellow dog standing on pier by the mountain lake. Getty Images.
Party with friends
Parties by the lake are always fun. So, get out a grill and invite a bunch of friends down to the beach to enjoy a day or night of partying by the water. But, don’t get wasted, because drinking and swimming can be a deadly combination.
Happy friends doing selfie swimming in the sea with sail boat in background. Getty Images.
Sunbathing
Here’s my top choice, even though you’ll likely find me doing it in the shade: sunbathing. If the water is too cold of you’re just not up to more challenging activities, you can get some sun and lay on the beach. But, remember the sunscreen.
Women relaxing at the lake. Getty Images.
Lakeside games
Lakeside games are definitely a thing, and there are many quirky games that you can play by the lake. A few enjoyable lake games include water balloon fights, bean bag tosses, horseshoes and more. Pick a game and dig in.
Family on dock splashing feet in lake. Getty Images.
