water wheels

Water Wheels are undershot fluid-powered generators that convert horizontal flow in channels and rivers into mechanical Power. They must be placed aligned with flowing Fluids so the current passes under the axle; vertical falls onto the wheel do not generate Power. If the fluid level reaches the axle the Water Wheel becomes Flooded and stops producing Power. Multiple Water Wheels can be placed adjacent in a wide flow to harvest the full current across the channel, and their axles transmit Power between connected wheels and into the colony network.

Three sizes exist with differing hit points and material costs: Compact Water Wheel, Water Wheel, and Large Water Wheel. Larger wheels yield more durability and greater Power output per unit of current, and upgrade availability depends on faction: Iron Teeth have Compact and Large Water Wheels, while Folktails use the standard Water Wheel variants.

Effective use centers on maximizing current beneath the axle while avoiding flooding. Power output is proportional to the current in the block directly under the axle; channel depth beyond the axle level only dilutes current and does not increase generation. To maximize output, funnel flow through narrow, shallow channels so that current speed is high without raising the fluid to axle height. Water Wheels do not slow water flow (as of recent updates) and their effectiveness was increased by 50% in a past update, giving more Power per unit of current.

Practical notes and strategies:

• Water Wheels outperform Power Wheels in most early- and mid-game circumstances because they do not require workers to operate, but they cease producing during Droughts when flowing Fluids are absent.
• Use Badwater rivers for Power Wheels’ placement advantages: this preserves freshwater for agriculture and Lidos, keeps irrigated terrain free of power infrastructure, and simplifies seasonal diversions. For Iron Teeth, Badwater flow can be made season-independent later with Badwater Discharges.
• Build long straight canals to host chains of Water Wheels for large, steady Power production when Droughts are not occurring. Late-game canals benefit from Overhangs and Impermeable Floors to reduce seepage; Terrain Blocks for canal walls provide a small performance improvement over Levees.
• Place wheels so their axles remain above the highest expected water level; avoid designs that let seasonal surges reach the axle.
• Compact, standard, and Large Water Wheels trade material cost and durability against footprint and total output; choose size according to available space, materials, and desired resilience.