Alternative Metric Units for Acre‐Foot and Acre‐Inch
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 113, Issue 3
Abstract
Acre‐foot is an important water measurement term in the United States, particularly in the American west. Although less common, its derivative, acre‐inch, is widely used within the irrigation community. No meaningful equivalents for these terms exist in the current International System of Units (SI). The two metric equivalents proposed here, hectare‐meter for acre‐foot and hectare‐centimeter for acre‐inch, are presented as alternatives to those generally found in SI conversion tables. Each is conceptually similar to its counterpart in the U.S. Customary System, thus creating comparable mental images that, in turn, greatly aid comprehension. Official recognition within SI of these two proposed metric equivalents, deserves serious consideration. During the course of almost a century, acre‐foot and acre‐inch have evolved with the needs of irrigation and hydrology in the United States. As a result, they have acquired not only practical but cultural and historical significance, becoming part of a heritage that should not be lost. Measurement bilingualism is recommended as a new policy for the federal government, to replace that of voluntary metrication adopted in 1975. Such a policy would expand our communication skills while maintaining linguistic diversity.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 113 • Issue 3 • August 1987
Pages: 393 - 404
Copyright
Copyright © 1987 ASCE.
History
Published online: Aug 1, 1987
Published in print: Aug 1987
Authors
Metrics & Citations
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