Twin Lakes in Juneau in Juneau Borough, Alaska — Northwest (North America)
Pelton wheels
Pelton wheels are among the most efficient types of water wheels. It was invented by Lester Allan Pelton (1829-1908) in the 1870s, and is an impulse machine, meaning that it uses Newton’s second law to extract energy from a jet of fluid. It should be noted that the original one piece cast impulse water turbine was invented by Samuel Knight in Sutter Creek, CA in the California Mother Lode Gold Mining Region. Pelton modified his design to create his more efficient design, after an accidental observation he made in 1864 while working as a millwright and carpenter in the gold mines in Yuba County, California.
For the next 15 years, Pelton worked to perfect his design and by 1879 had perfected and tested a prototype wheel that was granted its first patent in 1880. By 1890 Pelton Wheels were in operation in a variety of applications, generating thousands of horsepower, powering all kind of equipment.
The Pelton Wheel pictured above resides with us here, at the Gold Creek Salmon Bake. It is a rare alternating-bucket impulse turbine directly connected to a cross-compound air compressor. This photo is circa 1890. Pelton Wheels are still in use today in hydro-electric plants worldwide.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.
Location. 58° 19.933′ N, 134° 28.068′ W. Marker is in Juneau, Alaska, in Juneau Borough. It is in Twin Lakes. The marker is on the grounds of the Gold Creek Salmon Bake. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1061 Salmon Creek Ln, Juneau AK 99801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Wagner Mine (a few steps from this marker); Alaska Governor's Mansion (approx. 2.8 miles away); The Governor's Totem Pole (approx. 2.8 miles away); Alaska Native Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.9 miles away); Calhoun Ave. Overpass (approx. 2.9 miles away); St. Nichlolas Russian Orthodox Church (approx. 2.9 miles away); Harvesting of the Atom (approx. 2.9 miles away); 4-Story Totem (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Juneau.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 720 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 14, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Al Wolf was the editor who published this page.