12-27-2011, 10:19 AM
Having and maintaining a water wheel is a big project. A waterwheel is usually below a stream coming from uphill and the water naturaly feeds the wheel with gravity. You can use it to generate electricity, feed some farmland, grind stones or feed livestock. You would have to have a big pond that can hold lots of water and usually if you look at the lay of the land for awhile you can tell the lowest point or at least where the water runs towards.
I have never built a pond and kinda don't like them as they can be breeding grounds for mosquitos. But if you want a small one with small features you would have to have it aerated by tossing in a pump that feeds a fountain or something. Having a fountain is kinda cool. If you have a backhoe you could build a waterfall and bank the stones. We have tons of them around here and people usually use them for retaining walls. You cannot dig more than a few feet without hitting some. Be prepared for a project that could last 3-5 years though.
I will look around for some plans.
Another thing is to try and find a reason why you want to mess around with water other than looks. It can have some positive practical applications like pumping water to another area of the property.
I have never built a pond and kinda don't like them as they can be breeding grounds for mosquitos. But if you want a small one with small features you would have to have it aerated by tossing in a pump that feeds a fountain or something. Having a fountain is kinda cool. If you have a backhoe you could build a waterfall and bank the stones. We have tons of them around here and people usually use them for retaining walls. You cannot dig more than a few feet without hitting some. Be prepared for a project that could last 3-5 years though.
I will look around for some plans.
Another thing is to try and find a reason why you want to mess around with water other than looks. It can have some positive practical applications like pumping water to another area of the property.
He ain't heavy, he's my brother.