Aqueducts - elevated water transport

Comments: 178

• 08 Sep, '21
  Zam!

  As well as powered pumping wheels or achimedes screws to supply aqueducts with water please!

• 15 Sep, '21
  Ncc1702

  I think aqueducts would be better than pipes too as they'd fit the aesthetic more and could provide interesting mechanics like filling water barrels from above one high for small water barrels, two high for big, and three high for the irrigation tower. For simplicity the filling mechanic could be from the side instead of above.

• 16 Sep, '21
  Derek

  I'm surprised this is not in play considering all the work that is done for the verticality and criticality of water. This also would allow pumps to push water up into reserviors and offer a new aspect of gameplay that ties into the water handling.

• 16 Sep, '21
  Thaina Yu

  Anything that could use power to transfer water uphill is great

• 16 Sep, '21
  Ephora

  This so much!
  I actually built one in the demo but it was... bulky to say the least lol.
  They should be expensive enough to make the player still consider the dynamite and natural terrain option as well.
  
  I Also like the Archimede's screw idea, it could be a more advanced alternative to the current water outlet that would require power. Specifically, 50HP would be nice as you'd be able to use a dedicated worker if you want.

• 16 Sep, '21
  Maniac

  these would also serve as a nice way to power water wheels without a dedicated river flow as done in our history

• 16 Sep, '21
  SirMichael

  Archimedes screws to raise water 1 tile at a time, so you need to daisy chain them..

• 17 Sep, '21
  Thaina Yu

  Actually I have propose similar idea but I was focused more about building adjacency
  
  https://timberborn.featureupvote.com/suggestions/214920/

• 18 Sep, '21
  Anakha

  I'd be happy with the ability to place levees/dams/floodgates on top of platforms to make my own "aqueducts" that are passable underneath (personally would prefer this option over a single size aqueduct implementation). As it is now you can forcibly transport water around by building stacks of levees, but you're also building a huge wall if you're going any distance.

• 18 Sep, '21
  Gin Fuyou Admin

  "Allow putting Levees on top of platforms" (suggested by Sam Barkes on 2021-09-18), including upvotes (1) and comments (0), was merged into this suggestion.

• 19 Sep, '21
  _CJ_

  This was first idea I had after playing for a while. Prefer aquaducts over pipes where possible. Also with this terraforming should become more expensive.

• 20 Sep, '21
  Causal_Gamer Merged

  I just got off from playing for about 6 hours straight. I had a blast. One suggestion I do have is an enhanced irrigation system. I would like a plumbing system, that could be modeled off a power system. For example, adding pipes and maybe sprinklers, a reworking the pump to be able to move water uphill. Basically, I would like a better way to accomplish my goal of turning the whole map green. The only current way of doing this is by having an insane amount of pumps, haulers, water storage, and districts, which is very inefficient or, by using dynamite, which isn't full proof either.

• 20 Sep, '21
  mrtankman

  Not being able to reliably get power from the Folktails without a million beaver wheels feels like a major debuff. Careful water management really seems like the way to be able to do that, and it seems incredibly challenging to achieve.

• 20 Sep, '21
  Yonish Admin

  "Irrigation Rework" (suggested by Causal_Gamer on 2021-09-20), including upvotes (1) and comments (0), was merged into this suggestion.

• 20 Sep, '21
  Merkhadia

  I agree with the suggestion of making levees on platforms possible.
  For that matter, levees on dams should be possible too. (so we can create rivers with alternate spillovers.)

• 21 Sep, '21
  Admiral Rum

  my thought is that a limited area around the aqueduct gets some green. Then instead they only lead to loutron which then needs to be transported to storage barrels and is a high level research building. maybe instead of a green area around the aqueduct, The buildings don't make a green area, but you could have a third research called an irrigation canal and must be near the aqueduct or loutron (designer's choice). They have a build width of 1 and can irrigate two tiles to either side. this way you don't have to dynamite the canals and can control water usage by closing off the canal when you are low on water

• 22 Sep, '21
  Mathew Poole

  I have done some experimenting with the LEVEEs to achieve this. The 3 major issues are as follows:
  
  1) structurally, you must build 3 blocks wide. If a single block could be used to achieve the same result, it would makes things more aesthetically pleasing.
  2) levees can only be built on the ground or on top of each other. this means that you will need to essentially build the next great wall of china to feed water from one end of the map to the next. Catwalks will also need to be built up and over the system as openings can not be made in or under the system.
  3) due to the current water physics in the game, overflow/flash flooding is a very regular occurrence. To offset this, you need to build the system 1 block higher than the required water depth. Even with a flood gate or dam controlling the water flow at either end, the water will still pulse through the system.
  
  Suggestions for Aqueduct design on next post...

• 22 Sep, '21
  Mathew Poole

  ... Suggestions for an aqueduct system.
  
  1) have modified pump stations or water wheels that can suck/lift water up X blocks high.
  2) have aqueducts be available in the same sizes as the bridges (1x1-6)
  3) aqueducts could be built on the ground or connecting to support columns (see Roman designs that have archways under the aqueduct system) or existing platforms to support the system instead.

• 22 Sep, '21
  nani

  I also think some mechanic that lets you manipulate water vertically would be a great improvement. I was greatly disappointed when I realized that I couldn't stack the dams vertically, without needing to build what is essentially the great wall of china across the whole map.
  Maybe adding some simple water aqueducts like the main suggestion, that function similarly to the power "wires", but also adding something to build BIG ones manually.

• 24 Sep, '21
  Slipstream1993

  just met me place levees on top of any "solid" building, then i can place any levees, dams, floodgates ect i want ontop of them

• 24 Sep, '21
  Gin Fuyou Admin

  Slipstream1993, game system doesn't allow that at the moment

• 24 Sep, '21
  David C Bollinger

  just out of curiosity, what is actually stopping the implementation of levees on top of solid buildings? I think part of the reason that so many people are asking for it is that is seems so simple, and also useful both for moving water around and for filling in holes in a more aesthetically pleasing way than with platforms. It would be a lot less annoying, at least for me, if I knew why this wasn't a simple change to implement, or why the dev team doesn't want to.

• 24 Sep, '21
  Gin Fuyou Admin

  David C Bollinger, you can check latest dev's stream (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXn0VWV_rnI), they talked about it briefly. As developer (not game one) I can assure some things only appear simple on surface.

• 24 Sep, '21
  Alex Dooley

  I would like even just the ability to build levees on top of platforms, and create a Roman style aqueduct. This way it would not need to be a new building, but could still allow for transport of water over top of buildings and paths. Water then needs to be brought down in a given location to make it arable.

• 25 Sep, '21
  Chris

  For the relevant section of the stream that Gin Fuyou mentioned, it's at 36:16, timestamped link here: https://youtu.be/ZXn0VWV_rnI?t=2176

• 25 Sep, '21
  Gin Fuyou Admin

  Alex Dooley, as was just said game mechanics doesn't allow it (yet), important side of this suggestion was that aqueducts may have own independent and simplifyed water simulation that *might* be easier to implement. But devs are ones to decide and know better.

• 25 Sep, '21
  Bobs

  To be fair The game gives you everything you need to build an Aqueduct system already...
  
  Yes as the game currently stands it will require an Absolute Ton ( a **** Ton ) of Logs and game-time to make... but its possible to Transport water anywhere on the map that you feel like sending it.
  
  You can also Transport water uphill with a minimalist district setup made up of a combination of Water Pumps, Water Dumps & a Hauling post or two.... Although I'd personally opt to build an Aqueduct from source with the Levee blocks available, rather than use the Beaver Power required to move water uphill by hand.

• 26 Sep, '21
  mrpilipo

  Mix of powered water screws and pipes/aqueducts (with selection similar to shafts) would allow to create gravity batteries, commonly used in hydro power generation. The longer it gets, the more power it requires (uphill). Relying on efficiency and water units per time unit would make it easier to implement than something based on water simulation (water "dumping" is already in the game).
  
  Also please check my suggestion for finer control of floodgate levels:
  https://timberborn.featureupvote.com/suggestions/218638/finer-control-of-floodgate-level-water-level-alert-feature-for-measuring-stick

• 26 Sep, '21
  Peter D

  I was thinking irrigation ditches, so it's distinct from what you can already do with the levees.

• 26 Sep, '21
  Gin Fuyou Admin

  Bobs, that is not quite true, at the moment you can't transport water above water, some maps will have a limit how high water source can fill it up.

• 27 Sep, '21
  Upsilonic Merged

  Addition for landscaping blocks.
  Add an aqueduct or similar flume block set for allowing water to flow overhead.
  (Building system similar to gears shafts)
  1. 1x1 Block (Straight, L-shape, 3-way, 4-way, and Control Gate)
  1. Can be built on platforms or ground.
  2. Water in flume does not cause surrounding land to be irrigated.
  3. Overflow is possible.

• 28 Sep, '21
  Gin Fuyou Admin

  "Water Control (Landscaping) Blocks Update" (suggested by Upsilonic on 2021-09-27), including upvotes (1) and comments (0), was merged into this suggestion.

• 28 Sep, '21
  HKL Merged

  had been nice to do something else with the water, like an aqueduct to spread it around the map

• 29 Sep, '21
  Gin Fuyou Admin

  "aqueduct" (suggested by HKL on 2021-09-28), including upvotes (1) and comments (0), was merged into this suggestion.

• 03 Oct, '21
  Eager Beaver Merged

  Needs a way to move lake aside from drains (Which end up in a cycle of abuse between water pump and drain which end up killing the beavers because all the water were send to the drain to fill the man-made lake) made settling in an area with non-natural occuring body of water extremely hard). Suggest a Roman Style Aquaduct, which is a frickin cool concept that links body of water together. Maybe a new faction that specialize in Clay or making bricks, that can have this as a special building perhaps. Please do so cause I would love to try build this in a heartbeat.

• 03 Oct, '21
  mmek

  Just noticed this topic now, sorry! I'll paste the suggestion I made elsewhere here as well:
  I'd suggest a shaduf, which is a simple way of lifting water from the source up to irrigation canals. There are also norias, and, more interesingly, foot-powered water wheels in Japan (search for 足踏み水車). these lift the water just a tad higher (1/2 a meter maybe?),just enough so it reaches the irrigation canal.
  We could have 3 "tiers" of water lifting mechanisms, a slow-small-cheap shaduf, a bigger foot-powered water wheel, and a endgame noria, requiring power but being able to lift water higer (maybe 2-3h) but taking equally impressive ammounts of power.
  I also agree that aqueducts would make more sense than pipes, aesthetically and gameplay-wise. Otherwise the game could be optimized as "rush for pipe>rush for pump>build 15x15x10 tank anywhere>build pipeline>problem solved", diminishing a lot the need for earthen structures, water capturing and smart use of terrain.

• 04 Oct, '21
  Waldo

  Would love to see this. Able to move water and not block off another water source underneath it. Been trying to avoid cutting off a few points of flow that are running the water wheels.

• 04 Oct, '21
  Montana Williams

  Worth noting many early US underground water mains were wooden. But yes, aqueducts and/or underground supply as well as a shaft-driven pump would be excellent! I'm surprised they weren't already in the release.

• 04 Oct, '21
  Ukana

  A new please could be made using the aqueduct. It makes that sound of clik like in Japanese old houses then a barrel is fild with to much water it levreges and makes that clik sound before emptying and starting the scythe again. It could be a special please for bevers to relax.

• 04 Oct, '21
  Dactrin

  This would be awesome!
  
  * Elevated Aqueducts
  * AND irrigation ditches as an option over the irrigation tower,
  
  You could connect the two and allow gates to monitor flow!

• 05 Oct, '21
  pmduda Admin

  "Proper Aquaduct system (Maybe for the new faction)" (suggested by Eager Beaver on 2021-10-03), including upvotes (1) and comments (0), was merged into this suggestion.

• 06 Oct, '21
  Gin Fuyou Admin

  1000 votes! Impressive! Thanks everyone for supporting the engineering greatness of an Aqueduct!

• 07 Oct, '21
  Kyrre

  Aqueducts and verticality for water pumping would open up a lot of fun in the game. Imagine being able to pump water up into high reservoir and use it for power as well. Would be more reliable than wind and the construction would be fun!

• 11 Oct, '21
  Ariel

  We need sth more efficent or a pre electricity burning wood

• 15 Oct, '21
  mjevans

  It would be very nice if the endpoint could have a height-flap (should probably require wooden gear tech) to only allow water out to a given level. Think a 'flood gate' but the set level is based on the height at the bottom, not at the top. (yes, different height models for dropping water down a cliff.)

• 15 Oct, '21
  david gearhart Merged

  Add an Aqueduct into the game similar to a bridge but with the ability to have flowing water pass over it. You can make one out Levees but they currently must be placed on ground and will block off water flow underneath of it.

• 16 Oct, '21
  Gin Fuyou Admin

  "Add ability for an Aqueduct" (suggested by david gearhart on 2021-10-15), including upvotes (1) and comments (0), was merged into this suggestion.

• 18 Oct, '21
  Dave W

  I think there is room in the game design for both pipes and aqueducts.
  
  Pipes lead only to certain buildings (which require the labor to manage use) like irrigation tower, enclosed water pumps (inaccessible for drinkers), and water dumps. Max throughput would be small but cuts the need for haulers to move it. An Archemedes screw pump would be needed to actually get water flow, which should require at least 120 hp.
  
  Aqueducts would not connect to buildings (except irrigation towers and the water pumps as normal), but would have all of the higher throughput normal water channels have. I don't think making them ontop of wooden platforms is a good idea. Theyshould require support of the larger and more expensive platform structures (though I think the metal platforms are way too expensive right now). The real challenge is not making power generation trivial with water wheels from aqueduct exploits.

• 18 Oct, '21
  Blackbunt Merged

  I'd like to see an Aqueduct for High Level Water Transportation. Right now i am using a 3 Block wide Dam with 1 lower Block in the middle. it is very expensive an is also blocking everythin beneath it.
  An Aqueduct with Arches would be great, to add more capacity one could built another lane of a Aqueduct on top of a already existing one. That keeps a beautiful narrow style of this building.

• 19 Oct, '21
  Gin Fuyou Admin

  "Aqueduct from Metal and Wood" (suggested by Blackbunt on 2021-10-18), including upvotes (1) and comments (0), was merged into this suggestion.