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DavidM
Member
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# Posted: 29 Dec 2021 11:41am
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Hello, I bought a large spread of woodland in eastern Canada, far from electricity access points.
What is the best way to draw power from the dam in the pictures below?
A bit of info:
This November, the water was 8-9 inches off the flat ledge. Each sluice is 6ft wide.
If the flow table I found is credible, I get around 500 l/sec or 130 gal/s.
I can board up one of the sluices to raise the flow on the other side if that helps efficiency or lowers cost.
I was thinking a waterwheel would have minimal impact since the infrastructure is there, and there are no fish in the pond above. Guess I'd rather not manage a pipe running down the river incline: vulnerable to trees falling and leads away from the cabins. But open to penstock/turbine work if it makes more sense.
Would anyone know where to buy a waterwheel, or whatever power generation you think works?
All input is welcome!
Thanks!
David
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 29 Dec 2021 01:14pm
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Building something in a waterway may require permits, etc.
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BRADISH
Member
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# Posted: 29 Dec 2021 01:27pm
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I am inclined to agree with GCrank on this one.
At least in my neck of the woods, you likely wouldn't be able to attach anything to or near public infrastructure like that without running into some hefty penalties. I would think even if your land encompasses the entirety of that area, you'd be looking at some large (100ft+) setbacks from the dam.
Do you happen to own the dam itself?
And although you say there is no fish upstream, is there the remote possibility that fish could be in the downstream creek? I run into miles of red tape when this comes up.
Personally I have a VERY small tributary scummy old creek in my backyard at my house that runs through my property. I am 'suppose' to get permits for any ground disturbances (fence post, etc) within 75ft of the high water mark - can't imagine what it would take to actually touch the water 
I do have a friend with a very remote cabin that draws power from a creek via a small turbine. Seems like a pretty reliable way to go.
Best of luck - very curious to see if you find something that works!
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darz5150
Member
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# Posted: 29 Dec 2021 03:21pm
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Maybe try contacting corp of engineers. They could possibly point you to the different alphabet agencies involved.
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DavidM
Member
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# Posted: 29 Dec 2021 04:07pm
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Thanks for the replies!
I own the dam. It's not registered and the local council tells me it doesn't need to be. When I ask about authorization to harness the hydro power, they say I might ask the provincial (state) Ministry of Natural Resources. Will do, but I'd like to have a plan before reaching out.
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FishHog
Member
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# Posted: 29 Dec 2021 04:55pm
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there are many youtube videos of homemade turbine systems and you can actually buy some small water turbines that are just drop in the creek type.
But if you own it, I'd be fabing up a waterwheel system. Could be as simple as hooking up to an automotive alternator to charge a battery or way up scale from there.
I'm kind of jealous, wish I had that to tap into.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 29 Dec 2021 05:13pm
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Wow, you own the dam!
Do you have to be insured for liability on that?
What happens when (it is not an if) it needs maintenance/rebuilding?
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DavidM
Member
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# Posted: 29 Dec 2021 05:36pm
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Thanks for grounding me with some measure of fright guys.
No insurance, previous owner had the plot for 30 years and never insured anything. Mind you the stream doesn't hit a cottage for a few miles and then leads into a large lake. The dam was built in the late 50s and I was told by an engineer working for the power company that at this size it doesn't need to be registered.
But you are right gcrank1 , I need to have it inspected asap.
FishHog if you have a link to a waterwheel / turbine system that could power a few cabins and some equipment I'd love to read/watch what you found.
Thanks
David
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BobW
Member
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# Posted: 30 Dec 2021 06:09pm
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Some where my wife had a book on hydro power, but of course, I can't find it now. I am sure there is a formula is on the internet somewhere to determine watts from head and flow.
An eccentric I met used an overhead belt to run a 120v AC generator as well as his meal grinding stones. He adjusted water flow for stone speed by monitoring voltage generated. His was a big dam and wheel.
The health inspector was not happy when told to step out onto the deck over the river for a bathroom and he can now only grind animal feed.
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 30 Dec 2021 07:48pm
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Look at low head turbine systems. I believe theres people selling them that run on 4 or 6in pvc pipe.
If you want to make your own turbine look into useing a front load washing machine motor. They make 3ph and can produce at slow speed.
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Desim
Member
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# Posted: 31 Dec 2021 10:25am
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Don't post much but got to say.
Wow what a great problem to have!
I have a small clear brook on my property and love it however don't think it will even run a small turbine.
Good luck!
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 31 Dec 2021 11:38am
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+1 that
I think Id rather have a year round running stream with a small hydro e-plant than a solar field. IF it was close enough to not have line-loss issues....so that would mean a min 120vac at the e-plant?
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travellerw
Member
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# Posted: 18 Jan 2022 06:53pm
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I ran across this video on Youtube and immediately thought of this post. I thought I would drop this here.
[url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V82SVeVXKcA&ab_channel=LandtoHouse][/url]
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 18 Jan 2022 07:03pm
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Backwoods Solar has a Panning Guide & Catalog, used to be for free with an e-mail or phone call. They have a few pages of hydro with all their other good info.
www.backwoodssolar.com
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groingo
Member
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# Posted: 21 Jan 2022 03:31pm - Edited by: groingo
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Hot tip, if you do it, do it very quietly tell nobody and if anyone asks tell them it was already there....snoopy people can be your biggest headache especially if they call someone from your local municipality or county because you may own the dam but the government may own the water like in Washington.....silence is your best friend and on here never say where you are at....they may be watching!
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DavidM
Member
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# Posted: 21 Jan 2022 07:57pm
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travellerw
HQuoting: travellerw I ran across this video on Youtube and immediately thought of this post. I thought I would drop this here.
Simple and relatively low cost, nice one, pumps are so much cheaper than turbines. I'm still trying to put together and get a permit for a waterwheel, got stuck on bucket size/shape optimization. Don't know how variable the water flow is, think I need to measure it in Feb to get a better grasp or low point. And then figure out what to do in April when the snow melts... simple and low cost is really tempting.
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