Power generating hydroconveyor

A hydroconveyor system adapted for placement above a river, the hydroconveyor system comprising:

• a longitudinal frame including a first distal end and a second distal end;
• a longitudinal track extending along at least a portion of the length of the frame between the first end and the second end of the frame, the track defining a continuous and closed loop;
• a plurality of conveyor elements movably disposed and retained in the track, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of conveyor elements include outwardly extending members for engaging the river;
• and
• a velocity increasing structure disposed upstream from the frame and proximate one of the frame ends, the structure including an entrance, an exit, and converging sidewalls extending between the entrance and the exit which result in a velocity increase of the river, wherein the converging sidewalls extend between sides of the river;
• wherein the hydroconveyor system includes a declining flowpath in the river having a grade within a range of from 0.001 to 10;
• wherein (i) the declining flowpath is upstream of the velocity increasing structure, and (ii) the velocity increasing structure is disposed between the declining flowpath and the plurality of conveyor elements, the longitudinal track, and the frame.