Floodgate

The Floodgate is a 1-block-high adjustable water control structure unlocked for 250 Science Points. It allows you to precisely regulate water flow by setting its height anywhere from 0 to 1 block in 0.05 increments. Water levels above the specified height will spill through, while water at or below the set height is completely blocked. This fine-grained control makes the Floodgate far more versatile than static Dams and Levees, enabling dynamic water management that responds to changing conditions throughout the drought and wet cycles.

Floodgates are essential components of any sophisticated water management system. Place them in reservoir walls to control the release of stored water during droughts, or use them in river channels to regulate downstream flow rates. By adjusting the height incrementally, you can maintain precise water levels in irrigation canals, power generation channels (for Water Wheels), and drinking water pools. A common strategy is to set Floodgates high during wet seasons to retain maximum water, then gradually lower them during droughts to release stored water at a sustainable rate. Note that Paths cannot be placed on top of Floodgates, so plan pedestrian routes accordingly.

For taller water control needs, the Floodgate's 1-block height can be extended by pairing it with stacked Dams or Levees, or by upgrading to the Double Floodgate (2 blocks) or Triple Floodgate (3 blocks). When building complex fluid systems involving Badwater, combine Floodgates with Sluices and Valve Gates for contamination-aware flow control. The Floodgate's 0.05 increment adjustment provides 20 discrete height settings, giving you the precision needed to fine-tune water levels for optimal crop irrigation, power generation, and drought survival.