CountryEscape...yes my friend you could make one like mine and leave it running all year, i have set mine up to run between 8am to 6pm in winter months but spring/ summer/aultum i set it to run later till 10pm. being it powered by water from pump, its simple to set on timer.
Just make sure you use HARDWOOD not soft....as soft twists and swells out of shape.
My waterwheel is in d.i.y. section under :
[hi all from whiskey in mildenhall england].
My water wheel will be centre stage in new koi pond and keeping top pond for goldfish etc.
I hope to keep koi sturgeon carp tench and maybe catfish being fishermen over here use dead fish as bait , catfish have taken a back seat .
If you want any help in construction ,please feel free to [ pm ] me as i was a bench joiner before i retired.
If you feel confidant to take on project just follow my step by step guide in whiskeys water wheel thread...would even consider making one for you but shipping costs built or flat packed would be exspensive....not only that, it takes all the fun out of building it yourself..............choise is yours.