Water Power! 12+

Water wheel technology is a form of water power used since ancient times to grind grain and pump water. In the 1st century BC, the Romans used water wheels to lift water from the Tiber River. The use of multiple paddle-wheels to turn a shaft was applied to mills and then, in the 18th century, to textiles.

Did you know that water is a source of power? It’s true! Water wheels—the kind you might have seen in the past powering small mills and workshops—are still used in some parts of the world today. In fact, if you live near a stream or a river, you can actually build your own water mill and generate energy at home!

The first thing you need to do is build a water wheel. You can get this done by entering the Build Mode and using your cursor to select the Water Wheel tool. Click it and place it on the riverbank. Note that if there aren’t enough resources or materials nearby, you won’t be able to add the water wheel (you’ll know if this happens because the button will be greyed out).

If that happens, use your cursor again to select the Material Transport Tool. You’ll see some arrows appear—these are resources being transported from the town storage. Click on one of these arrows and move it closer to where you want your water wheel placed.

The next step: click on one of these arrows with your cursor and then click on the green “+” sign to add an extension to your riverbank. This will allow more water to travel through your area!