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["WILLIAM JONES" <billj AT harborside.com>]

OK, we have a new place with a creek that runs through it.  There's an 
abundant flow, but the greatest drop I can exploit is about 6 feet.  I'm 
going to use a 3" pipe to lead water to a certain level, then let the water 
drop in a Ferris wheel type of waterwheel.  Let's ignore any contribution of 
the forward momentum of the water, so that all the energy comes from the tubs 
of water falling downward.  Also, a 3" pipe is wide enough that little energy 
is lost through friction.  On the one hand, if I make the pipe steeper, a 
greater volume of water will flow per unit of time.  On the other hand, I 
would be depriving the "Ferris wheel" of the necessary "head" to get much 
energy out of it.