1. What is an Acre-Foot of Water?

An acre-foot is a unit of volume commonly used in water resource management. It represents the volume of water needed to cover one acre of land to a depth of one foot, equivalent to 43,560 cubic feet or approximately 325,851 gallons.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

Where:

• Area — Size of land in acres
• Depth — Depth of water in feet

Explanation: This calculation provides the total volume of water in acre-feet, which is particularly useful for agricultural irrigation, reservoir management, and water rights transactions.

3. Importance of Acre-Foot Calculation

Details: Accurate acre-foot calculations are essential for water resource planning, irrigation scheduling, water rights allocation, and commercial water sales. This measurement helps farmers, water districts, and municipalities properly manage their water resources.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the area in acres and depth in feet. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the total water volume in acre-feet.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How many gallons are in an acre-foot?
A: One acre-foot equals approximately 325,851 gallons of water.

Q2: What is a typical price for an acre-foot of water?
A: Prices vary significantly by region, ranging from $20 to $2,000 per acre-foot depending on scarcity, location, and water rights.

Q3: How much area does an acre-foot cover at different depths?
A: An acre-foot would cover 1 acre at 1 foot depth, 2 acres at 0.5 feet depth, or 0.5 acres at 2 feet depth.

Q4: Who typically buys and sells water by the acre-foot?
A: Agricultural operations, municipalities, water districts, and industrial users commonly trade water measured in acre-feet.

Q5: How does this relate to water rights?
A: In many western U.S. states, water rights are often quantified and transferred in acre-feet, making this calculation essential for water transactions.