> But often something like >90% of the water goes back into the ground, where it will eventually make its way back into the aquifers and rivers.
That's not the case in the lower Colorado basin. If it was, there would not be a problem.
That's not the case in the lower Colorado basin. If it was, there would not be a problem.
However that number is not zero in the Lower Colorado River basin. I work in groundwater modeling for various clients in the desert southwest, the number we assume for agricultural return flow recharge varies based on crop type and other factors. 90% is an overestimate, 0% is an underestimate
My guess is that most of what sinks into the ground from agriculture makes its way to a saline aquifer. Some of it may end up in the Salton Sea, which itself is very saline and also shrinking.