Editing Floodgate

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{{V50 machine|name=Floodgate|key=f
|icon=[[File:floodgate_icon.png]]
|construction=
* 1 '''Floodgate'''
|construction_job=
* [[dunno]]
|power=Uses 0 power.
}}

A '''floodgate''' is a gate which allows control of the flow of liquids, such as [[water]] or [[magma]]. They are operated by [[mechanism]]s, such as [[lever]]s or [[pressure plate]]s, which open and close them. When closed, they behave like walls, but when opened, allow liquids, objects, and [[creatures]] to pass over them.
Closed floodgates are shown in-game as "X" symbols.
They can be manufactured from [[stone]] (at a [[mason's workshop]]), [[wood]] (at a [[carpenter's workshop]]), [[metal]] (at a [[metalsmith's forge]]), or [[glass]] (at a [[glass furnace]]). While [[stone]], [[wood]], and [[glass]] floodgates require only a single building material, [[metal]] floodgates require 3 bars to produce. Once manufactured, they are built in the desired location using the keys ({{Menu icon|b|m|f|sep=-}}).

In most situations, simply using a [[door]] or raising [[bridge]] can be used in place of a floodgate - the latter of which provides a number of [[bridge#Floodgates|significant advantages]].

[[image:Colossus_in_Arena.png|thumb|right| <br />
'''Colossus in Arena'''<br /> This image depicts some orthodox and unorthodox uses of floodgates to control the mixing of creatures and liquids in this arena. The gates, shown in-game as X, act as liquid stoppers and [[jail]] doors.]]

==Uses==

Floodgates are used to control the flow of liquid. Because of the usefulness of certain [[water|liquids]] and the [[fun|danger]] posed by [[magma|others]], floodgates have a wide range of applications in any dwarven settlement.

They are instrumental in controlled [[irrigation]] for [[farm]]ing, or controlled [[flood]]ing for [[Trap_design#Water_traps|drowning]] [[elf|annoying]] [[goblin|visitors]].

Floodgates also block the flow of liquid on the Z-axis, as they are considered walls when closed. This can be quite useful when built directly below a [[floor grate]] as this will allow you to quickly empty the liquid from the floor above without the danger of its [[goblin|precious contents]] rummaging through your sewer system.

A [[pressure plate]] on a lower level connected to a floodgate between your main water supply and your other water controls can act as an automated safety valve to help prevent [[Pressure|massive flooding]] of your lower fort. Set the pressure plate to activate (open the floodgate) when 0-1 water, which allows using the water supply.  When flooding starts, the pressure plate deactivates, attempting to close the floodgate. Beware of linking multiple controllers to this floodgate, as another controller may activate opening the floodgate before this pressure resets.

==Placement==

Floodgates are constructed [[orthogonal]]ly on a solid, '''[[water depth|unflooded]]''' floor in the 'closed' position (Note that this means it is possible for careless dwarves to trap themselves on the wrong side of the gate). Adjacent walls are not necessary. A [[mechanic]] must then link up a [[lever]] or other triggering mechanism to the floodgate. This requires two [[mechanism]]s; the mechanic will haul one mechanism to the floodgate, work for a while, and then haul the other mechanism to the trigger to complete the task.

You can build a floodgate over empty space, e.g. controlling water in a vertical path. First build a floor ({{k|b}}, {{k|C}}, {{k|f}}), after it is complete mark it for removal ({{k|d}}, {{k|n}}) and immediately designate your floodgate ({{k|b}}, {{k|x}}).  You don't have to suspend either of these tasks to get both to complete.  You may want to remove the stone or block left by removing the floor or it may be washed down to lower levels, possibly clogging another floodgate that is built on a floor or [[door]]. However, a floodgate built in this way may disappear entirely when the lever is pulled in current versions.

==Activation==
Once the lever is pulled, with a [[Trigger#On.2FOff_states|delay]], the floodgate will open. When the lever is pulled again, the floodgate will close, after the same delay. This will destroy (not displace) any liquid occupying the same tile as the floodgate. Objects on the floodgate's tile, however, cannot be destroyed this way - in fact, the floodgate will refuse to close. Any object, everything from [[sword]]s to [[sock]]s to [[stone]]s to scorpion [[corpse]]s, can jam the floodgate this way. Once the object is removed, however, the floodgate will grind shut by itself. Note that the flow of liquids will often move objects downstream, and potentially jam your gate. It is advisable to clear out any remnant stones or other obstructions before releasing liquids towards your gates.

==Magma control==
Floodgates will resist magma when closed, just as a constructed [[wall]] would, but when opened, will be destroyed if they are not made from [[magma-safe|magma-safe materials]]. The mechanisms used in the construction of the floodgate must also be magma-safe to prevent this.

==Bugs==
* Floodgates built on a constructed wall remain standing (and functional) even after that wall is removed, leading to an exploitable, free-floating building. {{Bug|0377}}

{{Translation| dwarven = låluth-inod | elvish = wikira-iÿema | goblin = oda-dûnguk | human = nonu-kir}}
[[File:Harran_canal-GAP.jpg|thumb|230px|center|Two sluice gates. A sluice gate is a type of floodgate.]]
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{{Category|Buildings}}