a water turbine drive system is described for generating rotational power from a flowing water stream . the water turbine drive system comprises a rotating machine driven by a water turbine disposed remote from the machine , where the machine and turbine are connected together by a tether member adapted to be rotated by the turbine and transmit the rotation and thereby drive the machine . the tether member permits positional movement of the turbine relative to the machine such that the rotational axis of the turbine need not be co - aligned with the rotational axis of a driven rotating member of the machine .