The Utah Division of Water Resources collects and manages extensive water-related land use data for the entire state to support the development and updating of the State Water Plan. This data, which tracks the extent of irrigated crops and various land types, serves as a primary driver for constructing and analyzing Utah's annual water budget.
Land Classification Categories
According to data published by the Utah Division of Water Resources at the Department of Natural Resources, the water-related land use program categorizes land into several distinct classifications. These include agriculture, which encompasses land managed for livestock or crop purposes, and a broad 'other' classification for wildland. The dataset also identifies riparian and wetland areas, which consist of wildland influenced by a high water table often located near surface water.
Urban and Surface Water Mapping
The division's mapping also differentiates between urban and water-specific areas. Urban classifications include developed areas as well as urban green spaces such as parks. Specific water areas encompass surface water features including lakes, streams, and wet flats. This granular detail allows the state to monitor how land is being utilized across different environments.
Irrigation Method Tracking
A critical component of the dataset involves tracking irrigation methods used on agricultural land. While statewide field surveys for crop irrigation methods ended in 2015, the information is continuously updated through the use of imagery and yearly field checks. This allows for an accurate depiction of how water is applied to different types of crops across the state.
Agricultural Water Application
The data identifies several specific irrigation techniques. Drip irrigation involves applying water through lines that slowly release moisture onto the surface or subsurface of crops. Flood irrigation occurs when water is diverted from pipes or ditches upland from a crop in quantities sufficient to flood the irrigated plot. Additionally, the data accounts for sub-irrigated land, which does not receive direct irrigation but receives water due to a high water table and is generally associated with riparian areas.
Non-Irrigated Land Data
Beyond specific irrigation techniques, the program tracks dry crops, which are agricultural lands where no irrigation method is applied and crops are instead irrigated via natural processes. The dataset also includes a 'none' designation for land that is not associated with agricultural use, ensuring a comprehensive overview of all land types within the state's water management framework.
Statewide Planning Applications
The information produced by the water-related land use program is utilized for a wide range of planning purposes by the state and federal governments. Key applications include determining cropland water use, estimating irrigated acreages for specific areas, and evaluating the conversion of irrigated land to urban uses. Furthermore, the data is essential for planning new water developments and evaluating losses in irrigated land.
Water Budget Analysis
By maintaining this polygon GIS data, the Utah Division of Water Resources provides a vital tool for constructing the state's annual water budget. The data serves as a foundation for many other state and federal agencies to analyze water distribution and land use trends across Utah.
