Water turbine system and method of use

A water turbine system comprising:

• a floating structure constructed from at least one structural element such that said floating structure comprises a base and a pair of side walls forming a channel, said floating structure configured to be placed within a flowing body of water;
• said channel configured to receive a portion of water from said flowing body of water, such that said portion of water flows through said channel from an inlet to an outlet;
• a debris shield installed at said inlet of said floating structure, said debris shield placed at an angle relative to said channel such that said debris shield is configured to deflect debris within said flowing body of water away from said channel and into said flowing body of water;
• a generator affixed to one of said pair of side walls such that it is placed adjacent to said portion of water through said channel;
• a turbine placed within said channel, said comprised of a pickup reel assembly having a plurality of reel connectors, a central shaft, and a drive motor, wherein the drive motor is removed and bats are affixed to each respective one of said plurality of reel connectors, such that said portion of water within said channel pushes against said bats and thereby turns said turbine;
• said central shaft comprising at least one end mechanically connected to said generator such that said turbine transfers mechanical energy to said generator and thereby powers said generator;
• and
• said generator connected to an external power grid, whereby said generator delivers power to said external power grid.

A method of generating electrical power from a flowing source of water, the method comprising the steps:

• providing a pickup reel assembly comprising a plurality of reel connectors, a central shaft, and a drive motor;
• removing said drive motor;
• affixing a respective bat to each respective one of said plurality of reel connectors, thereby modifying said pickup reel assembly to function as a turbine;
• placing said pickup reel assembly across a channel within the flowing source of water;
• connecting an end of said central shaft with a generator located adjacent to said channel;
• turning said pickup reel assembly via said flowing source of water pushing against each said respective bat as each said respective bat rotates around and enters into said flowing source of water, wherein each respective bat is positioned such that they enter the flowing source of water in a vertical up-and-down orientation;
• thereby transferring mechanical energy from said pickup reel assembly to said generator;
• generating the electrical power via said generator;
• connecting said generator to an external power grid, such that said generator transmits said electrical power to said external power grid;
• providing a debris shield located about an intake end of said channel, said debris shield placed at an angle relative to said channel such that said debris shield deflects debris away from said channel and into said flowing water environment, thereby preventing debris from entering said channel.