Abstract: A low head water turbine comprising a runner having a cylindrical outer surface and a plurality of similar blades similarly pivotably secured along their inner sides to the outer surface of the runner so as to pivot in the direction of rotation of the runner between a closed position lying adjacent the outer surface of the runner and an open position at an angle thereto. A housing having end walls and a rounded side wall extending therebetween, completely encases the runner and its blades. The runner is eccentrically mounted to end walls of the housing for rotation about a horizontal axis so that the cylindrical outer surface is spaced closer to an upper portion of the housing side wall and farther from a lower portion. A water inlet opening is located in a lower, forward portion of the housing, below the axis of rotation of the runner. A water outlet opening is located in a lower, rearward portion of the housing.