Creation Begins…

Michael came up with the idea to create a water wheel to oxygenate the lake and eventually create a power source.

Before the creation of the water wheel Michael spent a number of weeks creating the foundation to support the water wheel.  First he drained the lake by 5 or 6 feet.  Then he started the process of building a concrete footer, retaining wall with 2 very large concrete planters and a flume for the water run off.  Once the concrete blocks and flume were in place, then the exterior walls were faced with warm colored brick pavers to blend in with the environment.

Then the construction of the wheel began.  His water wheel started with a large steel spool used for telephone lines.  With the circular shape of the steel spool he cut, bent and welded 60 + pieces of steel to make the fins on the water wheel.  Once the fins were in place the sides of metal were welded adding all the bars of metal to balance the final wheel.

Next Michael moved the completed water wheel into place, setting it perfectly balanced onto the framework and bolting it to the concrete foundation.  The water pipes were reconstructed to flow the water coming from the well.

Everything is looking so nice – EXCEPT the pipes.  So starts the next project the Cracker Shack to hide the pipes.