Presently, governments are focused on the development of diverse energy sources from renewable supplies. A major part of that is the development of pico-hydro and micro-hydro power generation in low head, low flow rate rivers and streams. Numerous dams have been identified that currently lack power generation features even though there is potential to produce energy. There is a need for innovative hydropower plants that are simple to install and reliable. This novel design of a magnetic transmission reaction turbine (MTRT) hydropower plant uses a contact-free, magnetic transmission to eliminate the need for mechanical seals. The removal of the sealing component creates a more robust design that has the potential to decrease maintenance cost and increase efficiency subsequently decreasing the levelized cost of energy. The use of a magnetic transmission in this design eliminates the need for mechanical seals which inherently add friction and have a limited life. With the use of permanent magnets attached to the reaction turbine rotor within a conduit, the rotational energy of the turbine can be transmitted through the pipe walls with magnetic forces into the rotating outer rotor which is part of a belt-pulley speed increase. The increased rotational speed in the high-speed shaft is connected to a generator for power generation. The nature of the design is modular in that it is intended to be installed where current dams exist with as few modifications as possible. This research will begin to develop a product that offers a solution for the current market’s need for low cost, low maintenance, hydropower plants. This thesis is brought forward to describe and document the novel design.