Retaining and routing map water helps preserve irrigation access and drinking-water production when natural flow falls.
PC / Global, 1.0 released March 12, 2026
WHERE & HOW TO FARM
Where to farm
A retained map-water source upstream of irrigation channels, with separate pumping access and Water Tanks where needed.
Prepare for drought by managing map water and drinkable Water as connected but distinct supplies. Dams, retaining walls, and controlled discharge can hold water for irrigation; pumps and tanks store drinkable Water for beavers. Check both routes before a dry period, because a full tank does not irrigate farmland and a terrain reservoir is not a tank of drinkable Water.
A map water source and suitable terrain for retaining or routing it.
Dams, retaining walls, or controlled outlets appropriate to the map design.
A working irrigation route to crop blocks.
Water Pump and Tanks if the colony also needs stored drinkable Water.
Inspect the source, terrain elevation, and downstream paths before building water controls.
Retain water with a map-appropriate reservoir design, using walls or dams and controlled discharge where needed.
Route retained water toward the crop field and check that it reaches the blocks farmers use.
Keep a separate Water Pump at a usable source and route its output into Water Tanks for drinking supply.
Before drought, inspect the reservoir level, irrigation route, pump status, and tank inventories.
Adjust outlets or channels if water is escaping too quickly or failing to reach a needed area.
After water levels change, recheck crop suitability and pump intake access.
Farming tips
A dam without a route to the field cannot irrigate it once river flow stops.
Protect enough water for both irrigation and pumping; these systems draw on map water in different ways.
Repeat, collect and use
This is a recurring preparation and monitoring routine. Refill retained water and tanks during suitable flow periods, then review both systems before each drought.
Common mistakes
Treating drinkable Water storage as field irrigation: irrigate with map water and store pump output in tanks.
Closing or diverting flow without checking downstream supply: inspect the field and pump routes after adjustment.
Assuming any dam guarantees a reserve: verify the actual retained water and its connection to users.
When to stop or switch
Stop changing gates when the reserve and routes reliably cover current needs; scale back crop area or water use if the source cannot sustain both fields and drinking supply.
