The Mill at Anselma Water Wheel

Water wheel

The water wheel developed 9-14 horsepower at 8 rpm.
The water flow required at full power at 8 rpm is approximately 2000-3000 gallons per minute.
The water wheel was designed to be compatible with the existing wooden gear system.
The end of chute is positioned approximately 9 inches before top dead center. The chute delivers water evenly across the width of the buckets.
The buckets were carefully designed to minimize spillage, and retain water all the way down to the tail race. A hole in each bucket reduces the vacuum to empty the water as quickly as possible.
The forebay (header tank) was also replicated by the Pottstown Metal Welding Company. It holds 286 gallons of water when completely filled. Practically speaking, we would never have it filled more than one-half to two-thirds of this. The forebay measures roughly 3 feet x 3 feet x 4 ½ feet and weighs 600 lbs empty. It weighs 1800 lbs half-full of water.
The forebay control gate regulates the flow of the water through the chute onto the wheel.
Very little water is required to turn the wheel without turning the stones
The pipe diameter leading into forebay is 18”.

The Mill at Anselma Preservation and Educational Trust, Inc.

1730 Conestoga Road, PO Box 42, Chester Springs, PA 19425
610-827-1906
info@anselmamill.org