Data Provenance
Water Budget Balance Sheet
Regional Water Budget Balance Sheet
1.0.0
2026-02-23
million acre-feet per year (MAF/yr)
USGS water-use data, state water plans, engineering capture model estimates
measured (demand/supply) + modeled (capture/recharge)
Captures current state and ASR-augmented projections. Natural recharge alone cannot sustain current withdrawal rates in any region.
Ogallala (High Plains)
16.5
3
-13.5
4
-9.5
4365
Largest deficit. ASR helps but cannot close the gap alone — demand reduction essential. Southern HP most critical.
Central Valley (CA)
8
2.5
-5.5
3.5
-2
825
SGMA mandates sustainability by 2040/2042. ASR + managed aquifer recharge can close most of the gap in wet years.
Edwards (TX)
1.8
1.2
-0.6
1.5
0.9
106
Karst system with good recharge potential. SAWS ASR (120K AF) already operational — proven model for expansion.
Denver Basin (CO)
0.8
0.3
-0.5
0.8
0.3
176
Confined aquifer system. Lower recharge potential but growing demand from Front Range population growth.
Basin & Range (AZ/NV)
5
1.5
-3.5
2.5
-1
5268
Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas corridors. Monsoon capture potential significant. Colorado River allocations declining.
32.1
8.5
-23.6
12.3
-11.3
ASR reduces the deficit by ~52% but cannot eliminate it. Demand management (efficiency, crop switching, conservation) must close the remaining gap.