Current of Canal Raises Irrigation Water
The Current of the Canal Causes the Wheel to Revolve, Carrying the Water to the Trough
The current of a canal was utilized to raise water for irrigation purposes, and other uses, by means of the homemade device shown in the illustration. A large-size buggy wheel was set on an old axle, and extensions were fixed to eight of the spokes. Paddles, 9 by 18 in. in size, were secured to the extensions, and uniform-size tin cans were fixed to the paddles, as shown. The current revolved the wheel, carrying the loaded buckets upward, and the water was thus poured from them into a wide trough braced on the platform. A flume led the water to the irrigation ditches, and pipes were used to conduct some of it to the ranch house for general purposes. When the water is not desired for useful purposes the trough is withdrawn and the water drops into the canal.—Joseph Gray, Heber, Calif.