Homestead Hydro Power: Build Your Own Water-Power Plant

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You can build your own energy-producing water wheel.
You can build your own energy-producing water wheel.
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The power available at the site of a water wheel is expressed in this formula.
The power available at the site of a water wheel is expressed in this formula.
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Fitz Water Wheel Co. This 4
Fitz Water Wheel Co. This 4" impulse wheel, built for war requirements was direct-connected to a small generator. It can be run off an ordinary water faucet. Note the removable nozzle and the tiny bucket, lower right.
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This table shows the quantity of water passing over a rectangular weir in cubic feet per minute (cfm) for each inch of notch width.  Depth D is read as a combination of the lefthand column and the top row.  For example, if the depth over your stake is 5 3/8 follow over 5 (fifth row) to 3/8 (fourth coumn), and read the value as 5.01 cfm. Don't forget that this figure should now be multiplied by the width in inches of your notch.
This table shows the quantity of water passing over a rectangular weir in cubic feet per minute (cfm) for each inch of notch width.  Depth D is read as a combination of the lefthand column and the top row.  For example, if the depth over your stake is 5 3/8 follow over 5 (fifth row) to 3/8 (fourth coumn), and read the value as 5.01 cfm. Don't forget that this figure should now be multiplied by the width in inches of your notch.
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Float method of measuring flow.
Float method of measuring flow.
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Weir method of measuring flow.  More trouble than the float method, this gives somewhat more accurate results. It is especially useful in shallow streams, or if a dam is already present.
Weir method of measuring flow.  More trouble than the float method, this gives somewhat more accurate results. It is especially useful in shallow streams, or if a dam is already present.
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With a carpenter's level, straightedge, and pegs, head can be measured before or after the dam is built.
With a carpenter's level, straightedge, and pegs, head can be measured before or after the dam is built.
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With the straightedge held level, vertical height between a pair of pegs is read off and noted down.
With the straightedge held level, vertical height between a pair of pegs is read off and noted down.
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Your last measurement should be to the surface of the water at the site selected for the water wheel.
Your last measurement should be to the surface of the water at the site selected for the water wheel.
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The earth dam.
The earth dam.
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Four types of small water wheels.
Four types of small water wheels.
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Determining the size of spillway.
Determining the size of spillway.
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The framed dam.
The framed dam.
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The gravity dam.
The gravity dam.

Back in 1947, Popular Science printed a five-part article that very concisely sketched out every step necessary for establishing a small water-power plant on a farm or homestead. That informtion is just as valuable today for many of MOTHER’s readers as it was 25 years ago and the publication has kindly given us reprint rights to the whole package. You’ll find the first three installments in this issue and the last two sections of the series will be printed in a later issue.

Homestead Hydro: Part 1

Many farms, ranches, and other fair-sized tracts of land embrace at least one brook within their limits. In most cases, the idea that a small stream can provide a useful source of power has never occurred to the property owner or, if it did, has been rejected as silly. The fact remains, nevertheless, that impressive advantages can spring from small water-power installations.

Electricity can be generated for general use, for pumping water, and for stand-by or emergency purposes; and the pond that is usually created can serve additionally as a means for watering livestock in dry times, for fire-fighting, as a swimming pool, as a place to raise fish for sport or as a “crop,” and for landscaping or scenic purposes.

Power can be obtained from any flowing stream, no matter how small. Whether it is desirable to harness this power depends on two factors. First, does water flow all the year round, even in the late summer months? Second, does enough water flow to make the harnessing of it economically sound? The first factor is, of course, known to the property owner by observation; the second may be determined by simple measurements. 

  • Published on Jan 1, 1972
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