Valve Gate

The Valve Gate is an advanced flow regulation structure unlocked for 500 Science Points, offering the most sophisticated fluid control in Timberborn through its 3-condition automation system. Unlike Floodgates that require manual height adjustment, or Sluices that respond only to contamination, the Valve Gate can evaluate multiple conditions simultaneously and open or close based on downstream water depth, contamination status, and other configurable triggers. When multiple conditions are specified, the Valve Gate opens when any single condition evaluates to true, using OR logic for maximum flexibility.

The Valve Gate's multi-condition system makes it invaluable for complex water management scenarios. You can configure it to maintain a target water depth downstream while also blocking Badwater during contamination events, or to release water only when specific depth thresholds are met across different parts of your canal system. This automation dramatically reduces the micromanagement burden of running a large water network, especially on maps with frequent weather changes, Badtide events, and fluctuating water levels. Combined with Fill Valves and Throttling Valves, the Valve Gate enables fully automated fluid distribution systems.

For optimal results, place Valve Gates at critical junction points in your water infrastructure where intelligent, condition-based flow control provides the most benefit. Reservoir outlets, canal branch points, and Badwater separation systems are all excellent locations. Pair Valve Gates with Levees for static containment and Floodgates for manual override capability. In Iron Teeth colonies, Valve Gates work particularly well with the Badwater Discharge system, automatically managing the balance between clean water for drinking and contaminated water routed to the Explosives Factory or other industrial processes. The 500 Science Point investment pays for itself many times over through reduced manual intervention and more reliable water management.