Flood-gate.
1. A tide-gate or sluice.2. a. A gate or sluice-door in a water-way, arranged to open when the water attains a hight above a given level, and so allow it to escape freely, to prevent injury by flood.
b. A gate which lies down when the stream becomes deep and powerful, so as to avoid being carried off.
Systems of irrigation including flood-gates, wheels, and pumps, were introduced into Spain by the Saracens. The country is gradually drying up. In the time of Pliny it was more populous and prosperous than now. Since the time of Abderrahman it has become still more dry and sterile.
