: 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 Still, experts say the state has a long way to go and will need more wet weather and improved groundwater recharge systems to fill a gap of 40 million acre-feet that accumulated over the last two decades. Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2024 Sunding said water deliveries from the tunnel would cost about $1,325 per acre-foot — less than the average cost for water generated by desalination, recycling and stormwater capture. Calmatters, The Mercury News, 16 May 2024 That included more than 12,200 acre-feet of stormwater that flowed into the city’s Tujunga Spreading Grounds, which was expanded in a project completed in 2022. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2024 Meanwhile to the north, in Mohave County, Greenstone’s competitor Water Asset Management holds more than 2,400 acres, and access to nearly 16,000 acre-feet of water, per public records from the county. Maanvi Singh, WIRED, 20 Apr. 2024 Well owners also will be required to pay the state $300 per well plus a pumping fee of $20 per acre-foot, a measure intended to cover costs related to the state’s intervention. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2024 Idaho has over 13 million acre-feet of water in reservoirs, much of which comes from snowmelt in the mountains. Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2024 An acre-foot is enough water to serve two to three U.S. households for a year. Associated Press, Quartz, 8 Feb. 2024 The state estimated that implementing its conservation regulations would generate about 440,000 acre-feet of annual water savings, or 8.5% of total urban water use. Cynthia Koehler, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 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 31 May. 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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