A Common Water Wheel in Alaska

Ramy Brooks

Fish wheels are a form of undershot waterwheel that uses the current to turn baskets with chutes in them that scoop salmon and other various fish out of the water and they then slide into a box where they are collected from each day.

Fish wheels were introduced to Alaska in the late 1800 to early 1900's by the Russians.
As energy prices have gone up over the last couple of years, there have been test projects to look at the feasibility of harnessing the rivers current not only to catch fish but to also look at micro turbines to reduce energy costs in remote villages.

Robin Boulding