Inventors:
William S. Kerby - Wichita KS
International Classification:
F01D 108, F01D 2524
Abstract:
A waterwheel assembly has entry and outlet flow directing channel portions and a flow directing member below the waterwheel. The waterwheel has a plurality of radially disposed paddles mounted on a rotatable shaft and arranged with spaces between the paddles in open fluid communication in the center portion of the waterwheel. The upper portion of the waterwheel is enclosed in a pressurized air cavity so water is kept in the lower portion of the waterwheel. A method of controlling the water flow in a watershed includes directing water flow through small channels which connect with larger channels with flow controlling waterwheels in the channels at selected location so that releasing water through the waterwheels controls water flow and thus regulates runoff in the watershed area.