arrows means more water flows through that river per year . The volume of large-scale water resources is measured in units called acre-feet .
The water flows downhill from the Colorado Rockies to other states , flowing towards both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans . The dividing point is the Continental Divide , which is the black line separating the blue and green regions on the diagram . The green colored regions flow east toward the Gulf of Mexico in the Atlantic Ocean . The blue colored regions flow west toward the Gulf of California in the Pacific Ocean .
More precipitation falls in western Colorado . The amount of water flowing west is almost eight times the water flowing east . This is because more rain and snow falls on the western half of the state .
There are groups of people in each river basin who develop long-term solutions to water needs . These groups are called Basin Roundtables . These people work together to solve the water challenges we face .
Big winter storms are key for Colorado ’ s water . If big storms miss us , especially over eastern and southern Colorado , drought can follow . Changes to Colorado ’ s snowpack has BIG consequences . More or less snow means more or less water for Colorado and the 18 other downstream states .
What is an Acre-Foot of Water ?
160 feet
160 feet
1 acre foot of water
300 feet
272 feet
1 acre foot of water = 325,851 gallons
1 Foot
Imagine you have a big field that ’ s as long and wide as a football field . Now , picture pouring water on that field until it covers the whole thing and measures one foot up your leg . That ’ s what is called one acre-foot of water ! Acre-feet are often used to measure water in reservoirs , lakes , and rivers . This measurement help scientists , engineers , and farmers understand how much water is available for different purposes . Did you know ? The Hoover Dam , one of the largest dams in the United States , can hold over 28 million acre-feet of water !
1 . One acre of land is 160 feet wide by 272 feet long . Calculate the area : __________________________________________________________________
2 . The size of the playing surface of a football field is 160 feet wide by 300 feet long . What is the area of the playing surface ? What is the difference between the area of the playing surface and the area of a football field ?
__________________________________________________________________ 3 . How many gallons are in 3 acre-feet of water ? __________________________________________________________________
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