An elongated channel has an entrance leg and a parallel exit leg and a loop therebetween at one end and a sump at the other end into which the exit leg empties. A power supply operates a fluid in the sump to deliver fluid into the entrance leg. A plurality of spaced paddle wheels are mounted for rotation on supports above the channel with each paddle wheel having a plurality of spaced substantially radially directed paddles conforming in shape to the space within the channel and being slightly spaced therefrom to inhibit any contact therewith. A plurality of generators are driven by the plurality of paddle wheels, and the generators are coupled to utilization or storage devices for using or storing the energy harnessed by the generators. Additional intermediate legs of the channel and other loops can form a sineous path from the location of delivery of fluid by the pump to the location of emptying of the exit leg into the sump. The paddle wheels in the exit legs are offset from the paddle wheels in the entrance legs, so that a plurality of elongated shafts can connect aligned paddle wheels in the entrance legs, and another plurality of elongated shafts can connect aligned paddle wheels in the exit legs. The generators are connected to the plurality and another plurality of the shafts. The channel may be level with the sump disposed below or it may be slightly higher in elevation at the location of delivery of the fluid into the entrance channel and descend in elevation at the location of emptying of the exit leg into the sump.

A movable and adjustable dam including a waterwheel for generating power in rivers, creeks, streams and other flowing bodies of water in which the use of a permanent dam would be impractical or undesirable. The preferred dam includes floatable wall members that can be anchored in position in a body of water to form a water channel there between. The wall members can be unanchored when it is desirable to move the dam. The dam also includes a water wheel mounted between the wall members. The water wheel generates power as it is rotated by water flowing through the channel. Further, the preferred dam includes an adjustable floor comprising a combination of interconnected plates mounted between the wall members. The combination of interconnected plates may be raised or lowered to control the level and flow of water in the water channel and to allow the water wheel to generate power in a mode that is most efficient in response to available water quantity and flow.