Water

Water is the single most essential resource in Timberborn, and managing its supply is the central challenge of the entire game. Beavers require Water to slake their Thirst, and without it, they will die of Dehydration within a few days. Water is collected from flowing rivers and lakes using Water Pumps, which extract it and store it in Tanks for distribution. Water Sources on the map produce flowing water at rates of up to 8.0 cubic meters per second, but this production is heavily season-dependent and drops to zero during droughts.

Beyond drinking, Water plays a critical role in agriculture, industry, and the broader ecosystem. Crops require irrigated land to grow, so water flow across your farmland is essential for food production. Water is also used as an ingredient in certain recipes, such as Coffee brewing at the Coffee Brewery. The physical water on the map evaporates at a constant rate of 0.045 meters per day, meaning that a full, non-flowing block of water will take just over 22 days to completely evaporate. This evaporation mechanic makes reservoir construction and water storage a top priority.

Surviving droughts requires proactive water management. Build dams and levees using Dirt to create reservoirs that hold water during wet seasons for use during dry periods. Place Water Pumps strategically near deep water bodies for maximum extraction efficiency. Tanks provide stored Water capacity, and building multiple Tanks ensures your colony can weather extended droughts. As your population grows, Water demand increases proportionally, so continuously expand your water infrastructure. Consider that Water competes with Badwater in contaminated areas, and keeping your clean water supply separate from contaminated sources is vital for colony health.