head gate

American  

noun

1. a control gate at the upstream end of a canal or lock.

2. a floodgate of a race, sluice, etc.

---

head gate British  

noun

1. a gate that is used to control the flow of water at the upper end of a lock or conduit Compare tail gate

2. another name for floodgate

---

Etymology

Origin of head gate

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Example Sentences

It considered putting in an automated head gate to better enable it to alter the flow.

From Washington Times • Aug. 22, 2018

Whenever a head gate silted up, a cut was made around it.

From The New Yorker • Apr. 27, 2015

They rode across fields trampled flat by thousands of churning hoofs and reached the spot where the head gate had been, a yawning hole at which the water sucked and tore.

From The Settling of the Sage by Evarts, Hal G. (Hal George)

Two men had dismounted by the head gate.

From The Settling of the Sage by Evarts, Hal G. (Hal George)

The water was gradually raised till it ran almost flush with the top of the head gate.

From The Settling of the Sage by Evarts, Hal G. (Hal George)