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Flood Control Dam #3[]

Flood Control Dam 3

Flood Control Dam #3 is a staggering engineering feat that must be seen to be believed. A popular legend indicates that Lord Dimwit had originally intended to name the dam FCD #2, an entirely random designation, since there were no other such dams in existence.

Parchment map

Map showing the area around FCD#3 and the tunnels around the Mines of Zork.

It was constructed in year 783 GUE of the Great Underground Empire to harness the mighty Frigid River. This work was supported by a grant of 37 million zorkmids from the local omnipotent tyrant of the era, Lord Dimwit Flathead the Excessive, leaving a big footprint in the Empire's economy.

This impressive structure is composed of 370,000 cubic feet of concrete, is 256 feet tall at the center, and 193 feet wide at the top. The lake created behind the dam has a volume of 1.7 billion cubic feet, an area of 12 million square feet, and a shore line of 36 thousand feet. Needless to say, it has a great appeal as a tourist attraction.

FCD3postcard

"The breathtaking splendor of this engineeringmarvel is captured in this rendering by Chin-Ming Bastidas, winner of the prestigious Golden Llama at the La Paz International Competition." - Zork User Group postcard

A dizzying stairway leads from the top of a small control room, down to the dam's base. From the top of the dam one can see the awesome view of the great reservoir lying behind, and the river forming below the dam, and flowing out of the giant underground cavern. The control room is accessible only through an access hatch in its roof. The interior is criss-crossed by tremendous pipes. One wall is adorned with four buttons. The first button turns on the lights in the room; the second open the floodgates of the dam, with a loud crashing sound; the third button causes some of the pipes to burst open.

On the first day of summer, its floodgates are opened to lower the water level of the reservoir behind, usually by the King himself. Crowds line the banks of the River to witness the sight.

Bivotar and Juranda, experimenting with the controls, caused some pipes to burst, a wall to collapse, revealing the hidden location of the Palantirs. Soon the water pressure broke the window and the two kids were spat out. After the defeat of Krill, Syovar tried to restore the Empire, apparently the Dam was repaired and it became again a tourist attraction.

Flood Control Dam 3 1066 GUE

The Dam as it appeared in 1066 GUE

The Dam was destroyed in 1067 GUE by an adventurer by closing all of the gates at once. The loss of power caused a temporary stoppage of totemization, saving the life of Antharia Jack.

Flood Control Dam #7[]

This dam is near the Frigid River Branch Conservatory, and it was constructed sometime between 783 GUE-924 GUE.

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