Table of Contents
Who this is for: Minecraft players dealing with flooded areas, underwater construction, or large-scale terraforming projects.
Ready to jump in? Play minecraft games and put these water removal techniques to the test in your own builds!
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Manual Water Removal Methods
The most straightforward approach involves placing solid blocks to displace water. Sand and gravel work exceptionally well because they fall through water, automatically replacing it. Simply drop these blocks from above your flooded area and watch them sink to the bottom, pushing water out of the way.
Sponges offer another excellent solution, especially for smaller areas. A single sponge can absorb water in a 5×5×5 cube around itself. Wet sponges can be dried in a furnace or by placing them in the Nether, making them reusable for multiple drainage projects.
Using Buckets for Precision Work
Water buckets let you remove water one source block at a time. This method works best for small pools or when you need precise control. Right-click on water source blocks to collect them, but remember that flowing water will refill the space unless you remove the source.
Command-Based Water Removal
For large-scale projects, commands provide the fastest solution. The /fill command can replace entire regions of water with air or other blocks:
/fill x1 y1 z1 x2 y2 z2 air replace water– removes all water in the specified area/fill x1 y1 z1 x2 y2 z2 sponge replace water– replaces water with sponges for automatic absorption
You’ll need to enable cheats or have operator permissions to use these commands.
Advanced Drainage Techniques
Building temporary walls or barriers helps contain water while you work. Create a grid pattern with solid blocks, then drain each section individually using sponges or buckets. This prevents water from flowing back into areas you’ve already cleared.
For ocean monuments or underwater builds, consider creating air pockets first. Place doors, signs, or other air-providing blocks to establish breathing spaces, then work outward from these safe zones.
Whether you’re clearing flooded mines or preparing underwater construction sites, these drainage methods will help you reclaim any waterlogged area in your world.
TL;DR
Remove water in Minecraft using sponges, sand/gravel displacement, buckets for small areas, or /fill commands for large regions. Sponges absorb 5×5×5 areas and can be reused after drying.
