How to Make Dam Power Plant Work?

[Mistamufu]

This may sound like an insanely stupid question but why is my dam power plant not working? It says its not operating and I don't understand why. Its all set up in the correct areas. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[AzorakZorai]

It may take a while for the water behind the dam to fill up and create a resevoir. Once it gets filled up enough, it will begin making power.

[Mistamufu]

There is literally a huge pool of water behind my dam. Ive had it in since I sort of started the city and I thought it was running. The water at the bottom is all drained to the bottom and the top is just not moving. It says 0MW output still and my city is calling for more electricity

[🅹🅱🆁🅾]

Needs to be more of a flowing river, rather than a body of water like a lake

[Fwiler]

Bulldoze it and start over. You should see the MW while creating the dam. The game for some reason gives you more power when the edges of the dam go furthur in shore. Yet sometimes when you create a dam it gives you no power.

[Mistamufu]

Originally posted by Fwiler:

Bulldoze it and start over. You should see the MW while creating the dam. The game for some reason gives you more power when the edges of the dam go furthur in shore. Yet sometimes when you create a dam it gives you no power.

Yeah I am beginning to see this. When I originally made my first dam it estimated a 570MW power output but then it never worked. I re-did it at a slightly different angle, so it works now, but the only thing is that I get only 160MW

[Mansen]

I can't be arsed to explain dam mechanics again - There is litterally double digit threads about it filled with exaustive explanations on how dams need a certain height level AND flow rate to function.

[rcgrisso]

We need a sticky for dam mechanics.

[Mansen]

We need a dam sticky for the dam dams!

Also - Someone made a couple of videos on the subject. You may be able to find them on youtube or (hahahah as if) search on these forums.

[ohn]

Its bugged, many people cant get it to work.

[Mansen]

Originally posted by ohn:

Its bugged, many people cant get it to work.

Bugged - Meaning "I cannot understand simple game mechanics". There's nothing broken about the dams. The water physics are admittedly a bit wonky, but nothing broken about it. If it was broken, we wouldn't be powering cities with dams upwards of 2400+ MW right now ingame.

[ArcaneGamer]

The map may not be suitable for hydroelectricity! Also, the water is not sufficiently high enough yet.

Either lower the dam's height, find a more suitable location or relocate your city's drains to the high side of the dam.

Check out this guide: Hydroelectricity Crash Course.

Let me know if this helps in the guide's comment section!

[Mistamufu]

Originally posted by Knight Lazarus:

The map may not be suitable for hydroelectricity! Also, the water is not sufficiently high enough yet.

Either lower the dam's height, find a more suitable location or relocate your city's drains to the high side of the dam.

Check out this guide: Hydroelectricity Crash Course.

Let me know if this helps in the guide's comment section!

I got it to work by replacing it :) Thanks!