: the volume (as of irrigation water) that would cover one acre to a depth of one foot

Examples of acre-foot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The state board’s staff calculated those estimates using a baseline period of 2017 to 2021 for comparison, and found that the 2040 reduction goals would mean a statewide reduction of about 500,000 acre-feet of water per year, roughly equivalent to the annual water use of Los Angeles. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 If, however, water levels across the system were to drop below 38%, the lower basin plan would spread cuts ranging between 1.5 million to 3.9 million acre-feet across all seven states, plus the country of Mexico – which also uses river water. Ella Nilsen, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024 The plant will also produce more water, adding adding 6,000 acre feet annually to its current 56,000 acre-foot capacity, according to Denham. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024 An acre-foot is roughly 326,000 gallons, generally enough to support a few households for a year, though most of the river’s water is used on farms. Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 6 Mar. 2024 That leaves approximately 35-40 million acre-feet for human use, with three-quarters being applied to fields and orchards to support the state’s agricultural output, and the remaining quarter – 9-10 million acre-feet – being used for household, commercial and industrial purposes. Dan Walters, Orange County Register, 26 Jan. 2024 Texas was the state with the most untapped potential, 7.8 million acre-feet of urban area runoff each year. Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024 Hydrologists measure large amounts of water in acre-feet – an acre of water one-foot deep, or 326,000 gallons. Dan Walters, Orange County Register, 26 Jan. 2024 But a 2016 study from Utah State University has put this number closer to 50,000 acre-feet. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'acre-foot.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of acre-foot was in 1889

Dictionary Entries Near acre-foot

Cite this Entry

“Acre-foot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acre-foot. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

acre-foot

noun
: the volume (as of irrigation water) that would cover one acre to a depth of one foot

More from Merriam-Webster on acre-foot

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