IRRIGATION WATER TERMS

Acre: Measurement of land equaling 43,560 square feet or approximately 209' X 209'. 

Acre Foot: Volume of water. Amount of water to cover an acre of land, one foot deep. 

Appurtenant: Belonging to. Water rights are appurtenant to a specific piece of ground. Central Oregon Irrigation District is required to keep records of appurtenant water rights. 

Headgate: A valve comprised of a plate which slides over an opening. Headgates can be adjusted and locked. 

Summer Irrigation Flows: The average flow of water between May 16-September 15. 

Water Right: The requirement of a water user to have an area of irrigation equivalent to the size of his/her water rights. For example, 1.5 acres of water right = 1.5 acres of area being irrigated. 

Weir: An instrument for measuring water as it is delivered through a slot of standard width. A dam placed across a river or canal to raise or divert the water or regulate its flow.