From 3 million acres in 1890 to 58 million in 2017 is the impressive growth of irrigated acreage in the United States! Despite regional variations, such as the decrease in California (8.8 million to 7.8 million) and the increase in Nebraska (8 million to 8.6 million), irrigation efficiency has improved. Between 1969 and 2017, irrigation application decreased from more than 2 to less than 1.5 acre-feet per irrigated acre.
Source: USDA ERS
