headworks
/ˈhɛdˌwɜrks/
noun
- The structures at the beginning of a canal, dam, or irrigation system that control the flow of water.
- Engineers inspected the headworks to ensure the dam's intake system was functioning properly.
- The headworks of the canal include gates that regulate how much water enters the channel.
- The irrigation headworks divert river water into a network of farming ditches.