Depth Sensor

The Depth Sensor is a water-monitoring automation component that measures the water depth beneath its arm and sends a signal based on how that measurement compares to a configurable threshold. Players can set the threshold to any depth value and choose a comparison operator (greater than, less than, equal to, and others) to define when the signal activates. Costing 200 Science Points, the Depth Sensor is one of the earliest and most important sensors available in the automation tech tree.

The Depth Sensor's output signal can be connected to virtually any automatable structure, including Floodgates, Fill Valves, Throttling Valves, Levers, Relays, and logic gates. This makes it the cornerstone of automated water management systems. For example, connecting a Depth Sensor set to 'greater than 2.0 meters' to a Floodgate causes the gate to open automatically when water rises above 2 meters, preventing flooding. Conversely, setting it to 'less than 0.5 meters' can trigger emergency water pumping to prevent reservoirs from running dry.

Effective water management in Timberborn often requires multiple Depth Sensors working together through logic gates. A common circuit uses two Depth Sensors with an AND Gate: one upstream sensor monitors that water is available (greater than a minimum), while a downstream sensor checks that the target area needs water (less than a maximum). The AND Gate ensures water flows only when both conditions are met. Place Depth Sensors at strategic points along your waterways, including reservoir inlets, dam outlets, and irrigation channels. Their 200 Science Point cost makes them affordable enough to deploy liberally across your water network.