Campaign 106: Turn the Water
The Complete Waterwheel, Hydropower, and Stream Energy Guide
A Sovereignty Module of the Practitioner Community
Preamble
Moving water is the most reliable renewable energy source on Earth. Unlike wind (intermittent) and solar (daytime only), a stream flows 24/7/365. A waterwheel converts stream flow into mechanical power for grinding grain, sawing lumber, pumping water, or generating electricity. Micro-hydro systems can produce 1-100 kW continuously from a small stream. This campaign covers waterwheel types, site assessment, construction, and micro-hydro electrical generation.
Part I: Waterwheel Types
Chapter 1: Wheel Comparison
| Type | Head Required | Efficiency | Complexity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undershot | 0-3 ft (flow only) | 20-35% | Simple | Flat terrain, high-volume streams |
| Breastshot | 3-8 ft | 35-65% | Moderate | Medium head, moderate flow |
| Overshot | 8-30 ft | 60-90% | Moderate | High head (waterfall, steep drop) |
| Pelton wheel | 30-1000 ft | 80-95% | Complex | High head, low flow (mountain streams) |
| Turbine (crossflow) | 3-60 ft | 60-85% | Complex | Micro-hydro electricity |
| Ram pump | 3+ ft | N/A (pumps water uphill) | Simple | Pumping water without electricity |
Chapter 2: Site Assessment
| Factor | How to Measure | Minimum for Useful Power |
|---|---|---|
| Head (vertical drop) | Measure elevation difference between intake and wheel | 3 ft minimum (more is better) |
| Flow rate | Dam stream temporarily, measure gallons per minute | 50 GPM minimum for small wheel |
| Consistency | Observe stream in dry season (lowest flow) | Must flow year-round for reliable power |
| Distance to use point | Measure from wheel site to workshop/home | Shorter = less transmission loss |
| Legal access | Check water rights, permits, easements | Varies by jurisdiction |
POWER FORMULA: Power (watts) = Head (ft) × Flow (GPM) × 0.18 × Efficiency
Example: 10 ft head × 200 GPM × 0.18 × 0.70 efficiency = 252 watts continuous (24/7 = 6 kWh/day)
Chapter 3: DIY Overshot Waterwheel
| Component | Materials | Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel | Plywood or sheet metal buckets on wooden/steel frame | 4-12 ft diameter (larger = more torque) |
| Buckets | Sheet metal or wood, attached around wheel rim | Angled to catch water, hold it, release at bottom |
| Axle | Steel shaft or heavy pipe | Supported by pillow block bearings on both sides |
| Frame/housing | Timber or steel | Supports axle, channels water to top of wheel |
| Flume/penstock | Wooden trough or pipe from stream to wheel | Delivers water to top of wheel at controlled rate |
| Tailrace | Channel below wheel | Returns water to stream after passing through wheel |
| Gearing | Belts, pulleys, or gear train | Converts slow wheel rotation to fast tool rotation |
Chapter 4: Hydraulic Ram Pump
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| How it works | Uses energy of falling water to pump a portion of that water to a higher elevation |
| Input | Stream with 3+ ft of fall and 10+ GPM flow |
| Output | Pumps 10-20% of input water to 10-20x the input head height |
| Electricity needed | Zero — runs entirely on water pressure |
| Maintenance | Replace check valves every 1-5 years. Otherwise maintenance-free. |
| DIY cost | $50-200 in pipe fittings |
| Commercial cost | $200-1000 |
| Lifespan | 20-50 years |
Chapter 5: The Practitioner Hydropower Reference Card
HEAD × FLOW = POWER: Head (vertical drop) and flow (volume) together determine power. A small stream with a big drop can produce as much power as a big river with a small drop.
OVERSHOT IS MOST EFFICIENT: An overshot wheel (water enters at top) captures 60-90% of available energy. Undershot (water pushes bottom) captures only 20-35%. Always use the highest head available.
24/7 POWER: Unlike wind and solar, a stream runs continuously. A 250-watt micro-hydro system produces 6 kWh per day — enough for lights, tools, and refrigeration — every day, all year.
RAM PUMP = FREE WATER UPHILL: A hydraulic ram pump uses stream energy to push water uphill with zero electricity. If you have a stream with 3+ feet of fall, you can pump water to a tank above your house for gravity-fed pressure.
REMEMBER: Moving water is the most concentrated, reliable, continuous source of renewable energy available to an individual. A Practitioner with a stream and a waterwheel has grinding power, sawing power, pumping power, and electrical power — 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with zero fuel cost.
Council Approval
All 12 voices unanimously approve. Complete hydropower sovereignty.
Council Result: 12/12 APPROVED. Campaign 106 is complete.