The Tide mill is situated in a river estuary and collects water from the incoming and outgoing tide which fills the storage
ponds of the mill.
When the tide recedes the water is left trapped behind sluicegates & raised banks or dykes.
As soon as the tide
has receded far enough the miller can open the sluicegate and release a controlled amount of water to turn the undershot wheel.
Depending
on the storage capacity of the mill ponds the miller may have only a few hours in which to work before the water runs out.
The
main picture shows the miller on the boardwalk about to release the stored water now the tide has receded.
The size of the model doesn't
permit the large expanse of water -often several acres - required to keep the mill in operation for several hours
