Legal Definitions - acre

An acre is a standard unit of land area, commonly used in legal documents and real estate transactions. It represents an area equivalent to 43,560 square feet.

• Example 1: Real Estate Purchase

  A family is looking to buy a new home and finds a property advertised as being on a "two-acre lot." This means the land accompanying the house covers an area of 87,120 square feet (2 multiplied by 43,560 square feet), providing ample space for a large garden and outdoor activities.

• Example 2: Agricultural Land Use

  A farmer plans to plant corn and needs to determine how much seed to purchase. Their main field measures 50 acres. Knowing this total acreage allows them to accurately calculate the necessary quantity of seeds, fertilizer, and irrigation based on agricultural guidelines per acre.

• Example 3: Conservation Project

  A local environmental group is working to preserve a wetland area. They secure funding to protect a "100-acre parcel" of critical habitat. This measurement helps them define the boundaries of the protected zone and assess the scale of their conservation efforts.

A foot acre is a unit of volume, specifically representing a one-foot-deep layer of a particular substance (such as water, coal, or soil) spread over an area of one acre. It is often used to quantify the volume or capacity of natural resources or materials.

• Example 1: Reservoir Capacity

  Water management authorities need to know the storage capacity of a local reservoir. They calculate that the reservoir can hold 5,000 foot acres of water. This means the reservoir can store a volume of water equivalent to a one-foot-deep layer spread over 5,000 acres, which helps them manage water supply during dry seasons.

• Example 2: Mineral Deposit Estimation

  A mining company is assessing a potential coal deposit. Geological surveys indicate a seam of coal that is, on average, 10 feet thick and extends over 200 acres. The company would estimate the total volume of coal as 2,000 foot acres (10 feet multiplied by 200 acres), which is crucial for determining the economic viability of the mine.

• Example 3: Contaminated Soil Remediation

  During an environmental cleanup, engineers discover a layer of contaminated soil that is approximately 2 feet deep and covers an area of 5 acres. To plan the removal, they calculate that they need to excavate 10 foot acres of contaminated soil (2 feet multiplied by 5 acres), which helps them estimate equipment needs and disposal costs.