Gallery: Mini-Hydro Site Photographs
Four stages of a small hydropower scheme, from water intake to powerhouse.
Four stages of one scheme
The photographs below follow a typical run-of-river project. Each image shows a stage that a builder or owner will need to plan, inspect and maintain. Captions describe what to look for in each view.
What each view tells you
The intake is where a scheme begins and where most day-to-day checks are carried out. Look for how the screen is cleaned, how debris is moved away from the intake and how the weir crest is protected from erosion.
The penstock carries water under pressure to the turbine. Its route, anchor blocks and joints determine both the safety and the head available for power generation.
Side note: photographs show general arrangements only. Site-specific layouts vary with head, flow and ground conditions.
Points to note on site
Use the following checks when comparing your own site with the examples in this gallery.
- Confirm the intake screen spacing matches the fish and debris requirements for your watercourse.
- Check that the penstock is protected against freezing and ground movement.
- Verify that the tailrace discharges clear of the river bank and any downstream structures.
- Record the powerhouse layout so that maintenance access is kept clear.
Use the photographs with the guide
Each stage of the gallery is covered in more detail in the step-by-step guide. Start with the services overview to see how a project is typically organised, then return to the frequently asked questions for answers on permits and costs.