Andrei,
I've done a few things, but mostly background stuff as it has been relentlessly raining in the PNW until the last couple of days.
I purchased a12V hydraulic pump, fittings, and battery to raise/lower the wheel - now I need to determine how to mount everything as the pump will need to be protected from our heavy rains.
I've got most of my permitting in place from 3 levels of gov't - What a hassle that's been. I had to get a qualified environmental professional to write reports for both municipal, provincial and federal regulators. Luckily I know some people in the field so some of the work was done gratis, bit I still had to shell out cash regardless as they had to write very in depth reports (potential for killing fish during all life stages whether resident fish like trout or anadromous fish like salmon, erosion, loss of fish habitat, obstruction of a navigable waterway, installation of structures below the high water mark, construction access and hazards, etc., etc.).
The last couple of days I have been hand trenching and spliced the power cable that will connect to the waterwheel. I had to hand trench around my house, under a side walk, around all the trees and shrubs, and through two lockblock retaining walls. The hot tub felt good on my aching back last night... Now I can rent a power trencher and do rest to the river (approx. 80 meters).
Once the weather gets better I'll complete the waterwheel and start again on the foundation. I'm going bigger than before on the foundation as well. I still have to by a couple of disconnects, a 30 Amp thermal breaker, and other electrical bits. I hope to have everything in place and running by the end of summer...