Definition

1. Noun:
   • A gate located at the upstream (upper) end of a lock or canal, used to control the intake or flow of water into the system.
   • A regulator, typically a valve or gate, that controls the rate of water flow through a sluice or similar water channel.

Usage

• Noun:
  • The canal operator opened the head gate to allow water to fill the lock chamber.
  • To prevent flooding, they lowered the head gate and reduced the flow into the irrigation ditch.

Advanced Usage

• Technical Context: In irrigation systems, a head gate is a critical structure for diverting water from a main channel into a smaller ditch or pipe.
  • Farmers adjust the head gate to ensure their fields receive the correct amount of water.

Variants and Related Words

• Headgate (noun): An alternative, often single-word spelling with the same meaning.
• Sluice gate (noun): A very similar device; a head gate is a specific type of sluice gate at the intake point.
• Penstock (noun): A gate or valve controlling water flow into a conduit, often used for hydroelectric power; similar in function but often in a pressurized pipe system.

Synonyms

• Water gate
• Floodgate
• Intake gate

Related Phrases

• To open/close the head gate: The primary action for controlling water flow.
  • They had to close the head gate for emergency maintenance on the canal.

Noun

1. a gate upstream from a lock or canal that is used to control the flow of water at the upper end
2. regulator consisting of a valve or gate that controls the rate of water flow through a sluice