How to Read Your Irrigation Flow Meter
Example 1:
Converting Gallons to Acre-Inches Applied
If you have a meter with a gallon totalizer remember to note the multiplier beneath the totalizer. For example, a standard 8″ meter dial face displays 890572 and the meter face reads Gallons x 100, so we add two zeros to the 6-digit dial face reading. 890572 x 100 = 89057,200 gallons
Present Meter Reading: 89,057,200 gallons
Subtract Previous Reading: 79,488,700 gallons
Total Gallons Used: 9,568,500 gallons
To convert gallons to acre-inches: Divide gallons used (9,568,500) by 27,154
9,568,500 divided by 27,154 equals 352.38 acre-inches
(9,568,500 / 27,154 = 352.38 acre-inches)
To figure acre-inches used, divide acre-inches by acres in field (example: 125 acres) 352.38 acres divided by 125 acres = 2.82 acre inches applied. (325.38 / 125 = 2.82 acre-inches)
Example 2:
Converting Acre-Feet to Acre-Inches Applied
If you have a meter with an acre-feet totalizer remember to note the multiplier beneath the totalizer. For example a standard 8″ meter dial face displays 974602 and the meter face reads Acre Feet x 0.001, so we place the decimal point three places to the left. 974602 x 0.001 = 974.602 acre-feet
Present Meter Reading: 974.602 acre-feet
Subtract Previous Reading: 968.176 acre-feet
Total Acre-Feet Used: 6.426 acre-feet
To convert acre-feet to acre-inches: Multiply acre-feet used (6.426) by 12
6.426 multiplied by 12 equals 77.112 acre-inches.
(6,426 x 12 = 77.112 acre-inches)
To figure acre-inches used, divide acre-inches by acres in field (example: 64 acres) 77.112 acre inches divided by 64 acres = 1.20 acre-inches applied. (77.112 / 64 = 1.20 acre-inches)
Calculating Water Use
Click this link to calculate water use based off your meter reading.
