What does 1 acre-foot represent in terms of water volume?

One acre-foot represents the volume of water required to cover one acre of land to a depth of one foot. This measurement is commonly used in water resource management to quantify large volumes of water, particularly in agriculture and land use planning. When water is distributed evenly over an area of one acre—equivalent to about 43,560 square feet—if that water reaches a depth of one foot, it precisely equates to one acre-foot. This unit of measurement is crucial for understanding water supply and usage, especially in regions where water availability can significantly impact agricultural and ecological health.