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Editing 40d:Aquifer
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An '''aquifer''' is a subterranean layer of [[water]]-bearing rock or [[soil]]. Attempts to mine through them will result in the mined-out squares immediately filling with [[water]], effectively halting excavation at or below their level. This, in conjunction with the fact that they are often located in areas rich in [[loam]], and [[sand]], makes it difficult to find great quantities of [[stone]] in areas with aquifers, making for more challenging gameplay. | An '''aquifer''' is a subterranean layer of [[water]]-bearing rock or [[soil]]. Attempts to mine through them will result in the mined-out squares immediately filling with [[water]], effectively halting excavation at or below their level. This, in conjunction with the fact that they are often located in areas rich in [[loam]], and [[sand]], makes it difficult to find great quantities of [[stone]] in areas with aquifers, making for more challenging gameplay. | ||
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Layers which CAN contain aquifers: | Layers which CAN contain aquifers: | ||
− | *[[sandy clay loam]] | + | *[[Soil|sandy clay loam]] |
− | *[[silty clay loam]] | + | *[[Soil|silty clay loam]] |
− | *[[loam]] | + | *[[Soil|loam]] |
− | *[[sandy loam]] | + | *[[Soil|sandy loam]] |
− | *[[silt loam]] | + | *[[Soil|silt loam]] |
− | *[[loamy sand]] | + | *[[Soil|loamy sand]] |
− | *[[silt]] | + | *[[Soil|silt]] |
*[[sand]] | *[[sand]] | ||
− | *[[yellow sand]] | + | *[[Soil|yellow sand]] |
− | *[[white sand]] | + | *[[Soil|white sand]] |
− | *[[black sand]] | + | *[[Soil|black sand]] |
− | *[[red sand]] | + | *[[Soil|red sand]] |
− | *[[peat]] | + | *[[Soil|peat]] |
− | *[[pelagic clay]] | + | *[[Soil|pelagic clay]] |
− | *[[ | + | *[[Calcareous ooze]] |
− | *[[siliceous ooze]] | + | *[[Soil|siliceous ooze]] |
*[[sandstone]] | *[[sandstone]] | ||
*[[conglomerate]] | *[[conglomerate]] | ||
− | * | + | *Puddingstone |
Layers which CAN'T contain aquifers | Layers which CAN'T contain aquifers | ||
− | *[[clay]] | + | *[[Soil|clay]] |
− | *[[silty clay]] | + | *[[Soil|silty clay]] |
− | *[[sandy clay]] | + | *[[Soil|sandy clay]] |
− | *[[clay loam]] | + | *[[Soil|clay loam]] |
*[[siltstone]] | *[[siltstone]] | ||
*[[mudstone]] | *[[mudstone]] | ||
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The challenges presented by an aquifer may be circumvented in several ways. Firstly, much more of your equipment will likely be made from [[wood]], especially early on, so it may help to be in a heavily forested area. Once you've established your [[fortress]] a bit, you will also be able to [[trade]] for [[stone]] and [[metal]]s if you run short. | The challenges presented by an aquifer may be circumvented in several ways. Firstly, much more of your equipment will likely be made from [[wood]], especially early on, so it may help to be in a heavily forested area. Once you've established your [[fortress]] a bit, you will also be able to [[trade]] for [[stone]] and [[metal]]s if you run short. | ||
− | It is also worth noting that it | + | It is also worth noting that it sometimes possible to find some amount of stone above the aquifer. It may help to create exploratory shafts searching for pockets of stone. Be aware that mining along the level immediately above the aquifer will result in patches of 'damp stone,' which will [[flood]] if mined out; these squares will flash with water when designating mining areas. |
===The speed method=== | ===The speed method=== | ||
− | For multilayer aquifers, if your [[miner]]s dig fast enough more than one aquifer layer can be pierced. | + | For multilayer aquifers, if your [[miner]]s dig fast enough more than one aquifer layer can be pierced .as of 40c one aquifer can drain into another. This allows work to be done from a layer down, but does not successfully pierce through all aquifer layers completely. |
===The ore method=== | ===The ore method=== | ||
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Tips: | Tips: | ||
*With a visible magma shaft, any tile that is not touching the magma on its Z-level (by edge or corner) is safe from magma, even if there is magma directly above it. | *With a visible magma shaft, any tile that is not touching the magma on its Z-level (by edge or corner) is safe from magma, even if there is magma directly above it. | ||
− | *Any tile which is not marked as damp is safe from the aquifer, even if there is a damp tile next to it. (This is ''not'' true if you have used the magma/obsidian method, | + | *Any tile which is not marked as damp is safe from the aquifer, even if there is a damp tile next to it. (This is ''not'' true if you have used the magma/obsidian method, below!) |
*To find the water-safe tiles, you can dig down [[stair]]cases on the floor above, which reveal the tile below. These can later be covered up by constructed [[floor]]s, if you want. | *To find the water-safe tiles, you can dig down [[stair]]cases on the floor above, which reveal the tile below. These can later be covered up by constructed [[floor]]s, if you want. | ||
**'''Warning:''' Do not dig up staircases on the aquifer layer until you know the tile is safe from water. Digging an up staircase creates an open tile, which can fill with water and render adjacent squares unsafe. | **'''Warning:''' Do not dig up staircases on the aquifer layer until you know the tile is safe from water. Digging an up staircase creates an open tile, which can fill with water and render adjacent squares unsafe. | ||
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It is possible to [[pump]] the water out of an aquifer; though the supply is apparently unlimited it can be pumped out faster than the water seeps in, allowing for a fairly safe area on the z level. This method is somewhat dangerous since problems with your pumps can lead to drowning, however, it allows a larger area to be cleared than most methods and can be done anywhere. It's possible to build [[wall]]s on the levels with aquifers to stop water. It's also easier to plan around a series of pumps than hoping you'll hit rock on the way down. | It is possible to [[pump]] the water out of an aquifer; though the supply is apparently unlimited it can be pumped out faster than the water seeps in, allowing for a fairly safe area on the z level. This method is somewhat dangerous since problems with your pumps can lead to drowning, however, it allows a larger area to be cleared than most methods and can be done anywhere. It's possible to build [[wall]]s on the levels with aquifers to stop water. It's also easier to plan around a series of pumps than hoping you'll hit rock on the way down. | ||
There is an example of how to get through an aquifer with pumps here: http://mkv25.net/dfma/movie-120-aquifercmv | There is an example of how to get through an aquifer with pumps here: http://mkv25.net/dfma/movie-120-aquifercmv | ||
− | Note that this method will not work with the current version, as it is no longer possible to pump an infinite amount of water into one tile. It can be modified, however, by placing channels behind the pumps so that the water drains back into the aquifer. It is also no longer possible to operate the pumps with a waterwheel built in the aquifer. This can be resolved by hooking up your pumps to another source of power, or by setting the pumps to be manually operated. The latter option will require quite a few | + | Note that this method will not work with the current version, as it is no longer possible to pump an infinite amount of water into one tile. It can be modified, however, by placing channels behind the pumps so that the water drains back into the aquifer. It is also no longer possible to operate the pumps with a waterwheel built in the aquifer. This can be resolved by hooking up your pumps to another source of power, or by setting the pumps to be manually operated. The latter option will require quite a few dwarfs with nothing better to do but operate pumps. |
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It is possible to expand this method to breach multiple z-levels. Just make sure your [[room]] on the next level down has a minimum of room allowed for this design. For areas larger than the design, break up the room into smaller areas (6x6 is reasonably workable) and pump them out one at a time from at least three sides (into another section when necessary, you only need one dry at a time), and building [[wall]]s on the outer edges. As you pump out additional sections, you can connect them, digging through the dividing dirt walls and building a wall between the two sections you've already built to complete the water-proofing. As a note, pumps can't pump if you build a wall in the space they're pumping from(though floor-grates work fine), which is why it is necessary to either pump from all four sides, or to dig out the space to rewall. | It is possible to expand this method to breach multiple z-levels. Just make sure your [[room]] on the next level down has a minimum of room allowed for this design. For areas larger than the design, break up the room into smaller areas (6x6 is reasonably workable) and pump them out one at a time from at least three sides (into another section when necessary, you only need one dry at a time), and building [[wall]]s on the outer edges. As you pump out additional sections, you can connect them, digging through the dividing dirt walls and building a wall between the two sections you've already built to complete the water-proofing. As a note, pumps can't pump if you build a wall in the space they're pumping from(though floor-grates work fine), which is why it is necessary to either pump from all four sides, or to dig out the space to rewall. | ||
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Steps: | Steps: | ||
− | #Dig channels in a 5x5 square. | + | #Dig channels in a 5x5 square. |
#Dig stairs on the outside of the square to allow access to the next level. | #Dig stairs on the outside of the square to allow access to the next level. | ||
#Carefully dig channels underneath all the other channels and build another stair down. | #Carefully dig channels underneath all the other channels and build another stair down. | ||
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===The cave-in method=== | ===The cave-in method=== | ||
− | If you cause the soil layers above the aquifer to cave-in on the aquifer layer, the caved-in layers above the aquifer will become mineable | + | If you cause the soil layers above the aquifer to cave-in on the aquifer layer, the caved-in layers above the aquifer will become mineable. |
showcase on 2 levels with aquifer: [[User:Rhenaya/HowtoDualAquifer]] | showcase on 2 levels with aquifer: [[User:Rhenaya/HowtoDualAquifer]] | ||
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In a sufficiently steep [[mountain]], the higher elevations may have no aquifer, even if the entire region appears to have one on the Embark screen. | In a sufficiently steep [[mountain]], the higher elevations may have no aquifer, even if the entire region appears to have one on the Embark screen. | ||
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===Cheating=== | ===Cheating=== | ||
There are also different 3rd party [[utility|utilities]] that can get you through aquifers in a variety of creative and painless ways - if that's okay by you, go for it. Try Tweak, among others. | There are also different 3rd party [[utility|utilities]] that can get you through aquifers in a variety of creative and painless ways - if that's okay by you, go for it. Try Tweak, among others. | ||
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== Advantages of aquifers == | == Advantages of aquifers == |