[Bigh4u2]

"If you had the proper permits, anyone with lets say 5 or more achers of land , could they build a pond with a small dam and use a small hydroelectric generator ?"

Probably. But you would need running water. A pond is stagnant and your paddle wheel would just sit there thinking about the mighty Colorado river!

:0)

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Not unless the generator is located on the other side of a small dam were there is some running water.
The only problem I see in this, is when the water dries up.