Bonners Ferry in Boundary County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)
Pelton Wheel
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2013
1. Pelton Wheel Marker
Erected by Boundary County Historical Society Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.
Location. 48° 41.88′ N, 116° 18.744′ W. Marker is in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, in Boundary County. Marker is at the intersection of Riverside Street (U.S. 2) and Riverside Street, on the left when traveling east on Riverside Street. Marker is located in small plaza overlooking the Kootenay River Bridge, on the south side of the Kootenay River just before crossing the bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bonners Ferry ID 83805, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Solving Power Problems (within shouting distance of this marker); Electrifying Bonners Ferry (within shouting distance of this marker); Crossing the Kootenai (within shouting distance of this marker); Logging Railroads (within shouting distance of this marker); Railroad Services (within shouting distance of this marker); Railroad Laborers
this page online
More about this marker. Large engraved and polished stone marker in excellent condition, adjacent to the subject Pelton Wheel
Also see . . .
1. Lester Allen Pelton (1829-1908), the inventor, and his Pelton Water Wheel.
Lester A. Pelton was an American inventor who successfully developed a highly efficient water turbine, for a high head, but low flow of water operating in many situations. Most notable today the hydro-electric power stations. Little is known of his early life. Pelton embarked on an adventure in search of gold. He came to California from Ohio in 1850 , he was 21 years old. In 1864 after a failed quest for gold he was working in the gold mines as a millwright, and carpenter at Camptonville, Yuba County, California. It was here that he made a discovery which won for him a permanent place in the history of water power engineering. (Submitted on November 9, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2013
2. Pelton Wheel
2. Water Power: Building a Pelton Wheel.
Though one of man's oldest prime movers, a water wheel generator is still a fascinating piece of machinery. Perhaps this is because it appears comprehensible at a glance (although an efficient wheel is actually a product of subtle and inconspicuous design refinements), and because it seems to be a way of getting power for nothing. (Submitted on November 9, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. Engineering and Technology History: Pelton Wheel.
In 1880, Lester Allan Pelton patented the Pelton Wheel, an impulse turbine which draws energy from moving water. Previous impulse turbines were extremely inefficient; the Pelton Wheel is able to extract nearly all of the energy from a moving water stream and is still the preferred turbine for hydroelectric power generation in cases where the water source has a high hydraulic head and low flow. (Submitted on November 9, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2013
3. Pelton Wheel detail
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2013
4. Pelton Wheel detail
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2013
5. Pelton Wheel detail
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2013
6. Pelton Wheel detail
Credits. This page was last revised on August 24, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 276 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 9, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
