How to Control the Water Level in Minecraft

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Water is an important resource in Minecraft for growing crops. It can also be used decoratively to improve the aesthetics of your home. In either case, it is important to understand how to manipulate water into doing what you want. It’s not at all difficult, and with time, you’ll be controlling the water level of your Minecraft game.


Part 1
Part 1 of 4:

Crafting an Iron Bucket

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8d\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8d\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-1.jpg\/aid5108773-v4-728px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Right-click on a crafting table to open the crafting menu.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/41\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/41\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-2.jpg\/aid5108773-v4-728px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    In the top-left corner are 9 boxes to place items in. Left-click on the iron bars from the inventory at the bottom of the screen and place one in the leftmost column of boxes in the middle row.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bf\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bf\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-3.jpg\/aid5108773-v4-728px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Place another iron bar in the second column in the bottom row of the 9 boxes in the top left of the crafting menu.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/be\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/be\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-4.jpg\/aid5108773-v4-728px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Put a third iron bar in the third column of the middle row.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4b\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4b\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-5.jpg\/aid5108773-v4-728px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    There is an arrow pointing from these boxes to another single box. This box will now display a bucket. Click on the bucket to craft it.
    6. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 4:

Gathering Water

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4f\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4f\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-6.jpg\/aid5108773-v4-728px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Drag the bucket into the first of the 9 boxes at the bottom of the inventory.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/dc\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/dc\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-7.jpg\/aid5108773-v4-728px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Just press 1 on your keyboard to select the bucket in order to be able to gather water with it.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/18\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/18\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-8.jpg\/aid5108773-v4-728px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This includes rivers, ponds, lakes and oceans.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5b\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5b\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-9.jpg\/aid5108773-v4-728px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Stand as close as you can to the water’s surface, and right-click on the water to fill the bucket.
    • If the body of water is small enough, you will notice the water go lower.
    5. Advertisement
Part 3
Part 3 of 4:

Creating an Infinite Water Well

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-10.jpg\/aid5108773-v4-728px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    To achieve this, left-click on an area of flat ground to break 4 blocks in the shape of a 2-by-2 square.
    • In order to create an infinite water well, the square must be strictly of these dimensions.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/57\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/57\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-11.jpg\/aid5108773-v4-728px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Do so by pressing on “E” and dragging it from your inventory to the first of 9 boxes in the bottom row of the inventory.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e7\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e7\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-12.jpg\/aid5108773-v4-728px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Press 1 to activate the water bucket so that it may be used to place water.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/96\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/96\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-13.jpg\/aid5108773-v4-728px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Just right-click the top-left corner of the 2-by-2 square hole. This will fill the area with water.
    • Notice that the water appears as though it is in motion. This means that if you attempt to take water out of the hole, you will eventually run out of water.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c4\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-14.jpg\/v4-460px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-14.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c4\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-14.jpg\/aid5108773-v4-728px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-14.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can do this by right-clicking the bottom-right corner of the square, directly diagonal to where the water was first placed. This will make the water stop moving and become level.
    • If you attempt to take water out of the hole now, it will automatically fill back up; therefore, you have an infinite water source.
    6. Advertisement
Part 4
Part 4 of 4:

Continuing the Water Flow

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/75\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-15.jpg\/v4-460px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-15.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/75\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-15.jpg\/aid5108773-v4-728px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-15.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Water will flow 7 blocks in a straight line from its source (the place where you initially right-clicked) if contained in a channel or a trench. If you right-click again where the water stops flowing, the water will continue to flow for another 7 blocks.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/00\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-16.jpg\/v4-460px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-16.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/00\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-16.jpg\/aid5108773-v4-728px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-16.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you right-click with a water bucket equipped on flat ground, the water will flow 7 blocks in each direction from the source while also filling in the area in between each direction. The end result appears like a square with jagged edges very much like a postal stamp.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-17.jpg\/v4-460px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-17.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-17.jpg\/aid5108773-v4-728px-Control-the-Water-Level-in-Minecraft-Step-17.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Right-clicking with a water bucket on uneven ground will cause the water to flow to the closest lower edge, and ignore any flat or higher ground around it.
    • If the water only falls 1 block at a time, the water will continue to flow until it reaches flat ground where it will flow for another 7 blocks before stopping.
    4. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Be careful with how and where you use an empty bucket. Right-clicking the source of the water with an empty bucket will cause all of the water to dry up.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0


      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Place and Break Blocks in Your Minecraft World
      How to
      Build in Minecraft
      How to
      Create Japanese Style Buildings in Minecraft
      How to
      Make Tripwire Hooks in Minecraft
      How to
      Make Stairs in Minecraft
      How to
      Build Trees in Minecraft
      How to
      Create a Volcano in Minecraft
      How to
      Make a Trapped Chest in Minecraft
      How to
      Make Quicksand in Minecraft
      How to
      Make Cool Stuff in Minecraft
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 36,476 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement