Dethridge wheel

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Dethridge wheel is used throughout Australia and in many other countries, including the United States, Israel and in Africa, to measure the flow of water delivered to farms for irrigation.

The wheel consists of a drum around with an axle with 4 spokes originating from each end of the axle. Eight v-shaped vanes are fixed to the outside of the drum which then spins. Wheels generally last for 15 to 20 years, and the axle is replaced every 5 years.^[1] The revolving wheel measures the flow of water from the irrigation supply channels into the farm channels. This provides the basis upon which irrigation farmers are charged for water.

The wheel was invented by John Dethridge in Australia in 1910. Dethridge was then commissioner of the Victorian State Rivers and Water Supply Commission.^[2]

[edit] References

1. ^ 99/97/1 Water meter, Dethridge wheel, steel, used by Murrumbidgee Irrigation Pty Ltd, Australia, 1990. Powerhouse Museum Collection 2.0. Powerhouse Museum. Retrieved on 2007-02-25.
2. ^ Stein, Thomas M. Dethridge meter (cumulative flow). Sakia.org Irrigation Index. Retrieved on 2007-02-25.

• Green, KD [1988] (online 2000). "Irrigation Development", Measuring farm supplies — the Dethridge wheel. Parkville, Victoria, AU: Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, page 157. ISBN 0 908029 49 7. Retrieved on 2007-02-21.