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Really interesting visit to Kennel Vale nature reserve just west of Ponsanooth in Cornwall. Kennel Vale is a beaytiful wooded valley with three sets of leats, each leat has a pair of derelict water wheels that drop over 6m. The water wheels were originally part of a gunpowder factory that was in use during the 19th century to supply gunpowder for the napoleonic wars and for the cornish mining industry. However when mining started using safer gelignite charges then the gunpowder factory was closed around 1925.
The flow through the lower leat is fairly substantial although it must be noted that central Cornwall has recently suffered some severe flooding and this meant that the river was in full flow. However the upper two leats have been diverted back to the main river, this is presumably to minimise erosion that has taken place.
Measured the flow rate across the river at the top of the valley and then across the lower leat as well. Theses are diverted from the main stream and rejoin the river lower down the valley. Also measured the heights of all the water wheel drops as this will be needed to know how much potentia; energy the water has and hence how much can be converted to kinetic and in turn how much electricity could be generated. Results and workings to follow;

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