# Sovereignty Module: Harness the Flow

## Complete Water Wheel, Turbine, and Hydropower Guide

Water power is the most reliable renewable energy. Unlike wind (intermittent) or solar (daytime only), a stream flows 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A small stream can power a mill, workshop, or generate electricity. This campaign covers every type of water power from simple wheels to micro-hydro generators.

### Chapter 1: Water Power Types

| Type | Head (Drop) | Flow Needed | Power Output | Complexity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undershot wheel | 0-3 feet | High flow, low drop | 1-5 HP | Low | Flat rivers, large streams |
| Breastshot wheel | 3-8 feet | Moderate flow | 2-10 HP | Moderate | Medium streams with dam |
| Overshot wheel | 8-30+ feet | Low flow OK | 3-20 HP | Moderate-high | Steep terrain, small streams |
| Pelton wheel (impulse turbine) | 30-1000+ feet | Very low flow OK | 1-100+ HP | High | Mountain streams, high drop |
| Francis turbine (reaction) | 10-300 feet | Moderate-high flow | 10-1000+ HP | Very high | Large installations |
| Ram pump (no external power) | 3+ feet | Moderate flow | Pumps water uphill | Low | Pumping without electricity |

### Chapter 2: Measuring Your Water Resource

| Measurement | Method | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Flow rate (GPM or CFS) | Float method: time a float over measured distance, multiply by cross-section area x 0.8 | More flow = more power |
| Head (vertical drop) | Survey with level and rod, or long hose filled with water + pressure gauge | More head = more power |
| Consistency | Observe through seasons (dry season minimum is your design flow) | Minimum flow determines reliable power |
| Power calculation | Power (watts) = Head (feet) x Flow (GPM) x 0.18 x efficiency | Determines what you can run |

Example: 10 feet of head, 100 GPM flow, 60% efficiency = 10 x 100 x 0.18 x 0.6 = 108 watts continuous. Enough for LED lighting, phone charging, small tools.

### Chapter 3: Overshot Water Wheel Construction

| Component | Material | Specification | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheel (rim + buckets) | Wood (oak, cypress) or steel | 6-15 feet diameter | Captures water weight |
| Buckets | Wood boards or sheet metal | 12-24 per wheel, angled to retain water | Hold water during descent |
| Axle (shaft) | Steel or hardwood (oak) | 4-8 inch diameter | Transfers rotation |
| Bearings | Bronze bushings or roller bearings | Greased, replaceable | Support axle |
| Frame (headrace support) | Timber or stone | Sturdy, level | Holds wheel and flume |
| Flume (headrace) | Wood trough or pipe | Delivers water to top of wheel | Channels water |
| Tailrace | Channel below wheel | Returns water to stream | Drainage |

### Chapter 4: Construction Steps (Overshot Wheel)

| Step | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Survey site: measure head, flow, and plan layout | Wheel diameter = 80-90% of available head |
| 2 | Build dam or diversion (raises water to headrace level) | Must include spillway for flood overflow |
| 3 | Construct headrace (channel/pipe from dam to wheel) | Slight downhill grade, minimal friction loss |
| 4 | Build wheel frame and bearing supports | Level, plumb, strong enough for wheel weight + water |
| 5 | Construct wheel: hub, spokes, rim, buckets | Buckets angled 15-20 degrees to retain water past top-dead-center |
| 6 | Install axle through wheel center, mount in bearings | Must spin freely with minimal friction |
| 7 | Connect to machinery (gears, belts, or generator) | Gear ratio matches application speed |
| 8 | Install gate/valve on headrace (controls water flow = speed control) | Slide gate or butterfly valve |
| 9 | Build tailrace (channel returning water to stream below wheel) | Must drain freely (wheel doesn't sit in water) |
| 10 | Test and adjust bucket angle, water entry point | Water should enter at 1 o'clock position (just past top) |

### Chapter 5: Micro-Hydro Electric Generation

| Component | Function | Specification |
|---|---|---|
| Intake (with screen) | Captures water from stream | Screen keeps debris out |
| Penstock (pipe) | Carries water downhill under pressure | PVC or steel, sized for flow |
| Turbine (Pelton, turgo, or propeller) | Converts water pressure to rotation | Matched to head and flow |
| Generator (permanent magnet or induction) | Converts rotation to electricity | 12V, 24V, or 120/240V AC |
| Charge controller | Regulates voltage to batteries | Prevents overcharging |
| Battery bank | Stores energy for demand peaks | Deep-cycle lead-acid or lithium |
| Inverter | Converts DC to AC (if needed) | Sized to peak load |

### Chapter 6: Applications (What Water Power Can Run)

| Application | Power Needed | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| Grain mill (grinding) | 2-5 HP | Direct drive through gears |
| Sawmill | 5-15 HP | Belt drive to saw blade |
| Hammer (trip hammer) | 1-3 HP | Cam on axle lifts and drops hammer |
| Bellows (forge) | 0.5-1 HP | Cam operates bellows |
| Lathe (wood turning) | 1-2 HP | Belt drive |
| Water pump (lifting water) | 0.5-2 HP | Crank or cam mechanism |
| Electric generation | Any (matched to turbine) | Generator on shaft |
| Textile mill (spinning/weaving) | 2-5 HP | Belt drive to machinery |

### Reference Card

1. Power = Head (ft) x Flow (GPM) x 0.18 x efficiency. More head = more power per gallon.
2. Overshot wheel: most efficient (60-80%), needs head equal to wheel diameter
3. Undershot wheel: simplest, works in flat water, least efficient (20-40%)
4. Design to minimum dry-season flow (not average): ensures year-round power
5. Wheel diameter should be 80-90% of available head (vertical drop)
6. Buckets angled 15-20 degrees to retain water past top-dead-center
7. Water enters overshot wheel at 1 o'clock position (just past top)
8. Ram pump: uses water's own energy to pump portion uphill (no electricity needed)