A RIVER DIVERSION
NIAGARA RIVER WATER DIVERSION
The International Boundary Waters Treaty (1909)
The Niagara River Water Diversion Treaty (1950)
&
NIAGARA RIVER WATER DIVERSION & WATER OUTFLOW CHARTS
International Boundary Water Treaty (1909)
Prior to 1909, there was no bilateral international agreement between Canada and the United States pertaining to the diversion, uses and/or pollution of waters along their shared borders of the Great Lakes. There were for the most part no rules.
The two countries soon
recognized the problems associated to this lack of control and regulation and
began negotiations to remedy the problem. From these came an agreement known the "International Boundary Waters Treaty"
relating to the boundary waters and to questions arising along the boundary between Canada and the United States made between His Majesty, King Edward VII, and the United States, signed at Washington on January 11, 1909, and the protocol of May 5, 1910.
Highlights of this treaty included:
- Boundary waters are defined as the waters from main shore to main shore of the lakes and rivers and connecting waterways, or the portions thereof, along which the international boundary between the United States and the Dominion of Canada passes, including all bays, arms, and inlets thereof, but not including tributary waters which in their natural channels would flow into such lakes, rivers, and waterways, or waters flowing from such lakes, rivers, and waterways, or the waters of rivers flowing across the boundary.
- Except in accordance with a licence, no person shall use, obstruct or divert boundary waters, either temporarily or permanently, in a manner that affects, or is likely to affect, in any way the natural level or flow of the boundary waters on the other side of the international boundary.
- Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of the ordinary use of waters for domestic or sanitary purposes, or the exceptions specified in the regulations.
- No person shall use or divert boundary waters by removing water from the boundary waters and taking it outside the water basin in which the boundary waters are located.
- It is further agreed that the waters herein defined as boundary waters and waters flowing across the boundary shall not be polluted on either side to the injury of health or property on the other.
- Agree that it is expedient to limit the diversion of waters from the Niagara River so that the level of Lake Erie and the flow of the stream shall not be appreciably affected.
So long as this treaty shall remain in force, no diversion of the waters of the Niagara River above the Falls from the natural course and stream thereof shall be permitted except for the purposes and to the extent hereinafter provided.
The United States may authorize and permit the diversion within the State of New York of the waters of the said river above the Falls of Niagara, for power purposes, not exceeding in the aggregate a daily diversion at the rate of twenty thousand cubic feet of water per second.
The United Kingdom, by the Dominion of Canada, or the Province of Ontario, may authorize and permit the diversion within the Province of Ontario of the waters of said river above the Falls of Niagara, for power purposes, not exceeding in the aggregate a daily diversion at the rate of thirty-six thousand cubic feet of water per second.
The prohibitions of this article shall not apply to the diversion of water for sanitary or domestic purposes, or for the service of canals for the purposes of navigation.
Agree to establish and maintain an International Joint Commission (IJC) of the United States and Canada composed of six commissioners. This commission shall have jurisdiction over and shall pass upon all cases involving the use or obstruction or diversion of the waters.
...The Boundary Water Treaty (BWT) of 1909 first established limits on the amount of water diverted from the Niagara River for hydro-electric power production. Our two countries entered into a special agreement...the 1950 Niagara Treaty...which replaced certain paragraphs of the BWT and re-defined the diversion and division of water to protect the scenic beauty of the Falls and at the same time provide for increased hydro-electric power production. ....
Len Falkiner, Secretary, International Niagara Board of Control (IJC)
Niagara River Water Diversion Treaty (1950)
The Niagara River Water Diversion Treaty between Canada
and the United States concerning the uses of the waters of the Niagara River was
signed on February 27th 1950 and came into force October 10th 1950. Its purpose is to preserve and enhance the scenic
beauty of Niagara Falls and the Niagara River, while providing for the most
beneficial use of the river waters.
Limitations on the amount of water diverted from the Niagara River for power generation purposes initially established by the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 were terminated and replaced by the 1950 treaty. Temporary diversion agreements for power generation in 1941 and 1948 agreements between the two Governments were rescinded.
The Niagara River Water Treaty of 1950 established new limitations of water diversion for power generation.
The amount of water available for diversion under the provisions of the latest treaty was specified to include:
1. the total outflow from Lake Erie through the Welland Canal
2. the total outflow from lake Erie through the Niagara River (including the Black Rock Canal)
3. not to include the amount of water used and necessary for domestic/sanitary purposes and for the canals for navigation purposes.
In order to preserve the scenic beauty of the Falls, the
Niagara River Water Diversion Treaty of 1950 stipulated that no water diversions
for power generation would be allowed that would reduce the flow of water over
Niagara Falls as follows:
no less than 100,000 cubic feet of water per second (cf/s) From April 1st to September 15th (inclusive) between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.
no less than 100,000 cubic feet of water per second (cf/s) from September 16th to October 31st (inclusive) between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
no less than 50,000 cubic feet of water per second (cf/s) from November 1st to March 31st (inclusive)
The specified rates of water flow over the Falls (listed above) are mandatory minimums. All water specified in this Treaty in excess of water reserved for scenic purposes may be diverted for power purposes.
On April 17th 1973, the governments agreed to use Eastern Daylight Savings Time as the basis of interpreting the hours specified by section IV of the treaty.
Under the terms of this treaty all excess waters available for water diversion for power generation shall be divided equally between Canada and the United States. An exception allows Canada to divert an additional 5,000 cubic feet of water per second from the Welland Canal or the Niagara River by a 1940 government agreement pertaining to the downstream use of waters from Canada's Long Lac and Ogoki water diversions into the Great Lakes. These water diversions are specifically excluded from the waters allocated in the Niagara River Water Diversion Treaty of 1950.
The 1950 Treaty stipulated: "Until such time as there are facilities in the territory of one party to use its full share of the diversions of water for power purposes agreed upon in this Treaty, the other party may use the portion of that share for the use of which facilities are not available".
In order to best utilize the water available for diversion, the New York State Power Authority and Ontario Power Generation signed an agreement on January 19th 1965 to share generation capacity. Both power companies have rented available power generating capacity from each other to maximize utilization of their respective shares of water available for power production. Original ownership of the water shares has been maintained. This agreement allows each company to minimize the costs of equipment outages and to provide for the handling of ice problems. In simple terms, when Ontario Power Generation (OPG) - Sir Adam Beck Power Stations (Canada) has surplus water shares available for diversion and no extra generation capacity, they rent the generation capacity available at New York State Power Authority (NYSPA) - Robert Moses Power Station for power generation. The power generated is for the use of Ontario Power Generation. This agreement is reciprocal and NYSPA does the same with their surplus water share.
The power companies of both countries continue to upgrade
their power generators to increase power capacity however their respective
abilities to draw water are limited by not only the terms of this treaty but
their capacity to draw available waters (refer below).
|
POWER STATION INTAKE CAPACITY |
|
|
Power Station Name |
Cubic Feet Per Second |
|
Robert Moses Generating Station (NYSPA) |
109,000 |
|
Sir Adam Beck Generating Stations (OPG) |
64,400 |
|
DeCew Falls Generating Station (OPG) |
8,000 |
|
Canadian Niagara Power (Fortis) - not producing |
35 |
Ontario Power Generation has a combined water drawing
capacity of 72,400 cubic feet per second (includes DeCew Falls Generating
Station). At present, New York State Power Authority - Robert Moses Generating
Station has a water drawing advantage of approximately 36,600 cubic feet per
second.
There are occasions when power generation is reduced below actual capacity at times of low water flow rates in order to maintain the treaty minimal flow over the Falls.
There are occasions when the amount of water in the Niagara River available for diversion exceeds the ability of the power stations to draw this excess. Ontario Power Generation and the Ontario Government are currently studying methods upon which to increase their water share drawing capacity in order to increase power generation capacity.
"...The two countries share the water for power production as per Article VI. This amount, of course, depends on the river flow which changes constantly. When the level of Lake Erie, and its corresponding outflow, is low, there may not be sufficient water available for maximum power generation.....in either country. On the other hand, when the opposite is true i.e. high lake levels and river flows the amount of water available for power production exceeds generation/diversion capacity and water will be "spilled" over the Falls (in other words in amounts greater than the required Falls flow minimum).
A program of unit upgrades at both Ontario Power Generation's Sir Adam Beck and the New York Power Authority's Robert Moses Niagara Power Project, begun in the 1990s and due for completion in the next couple of years has been increasing this generation/discharge capacity. While the tunnels on the U.S. side are capable of handling their diversions, in all but the most extreme case (short term storm events which can result in very high flow conditions), a new OPG tunnel or tunnels and additional generating station would increase the frequency of maximum water diversion for power generation on the Canadian side..."
Len Falkiner, Secretary, International Niagara Board of Control (IJC)
The Niagara River Water Diversion Treaty came into force upon the date of the exchange of ratifications [Oct. 10, 1950] and continues in force for a period of fifty (50) years and thereafter until one (1) year from the day on which either party shall give notice to the other party of its intention of terminating the Treaty.
Neither the Lake Erie outflow to the Niagara River nor the flow at Queenston are measured on a continuous, real-time basis. They are calculated.Values are calculated from rating tables that determine discharge from the plant generators, based on power output for the operating head, and the outflow from the Maid-of-the-Mist Pool which is determined from a rating curve for the Ashland Avenue gauge.....an equation established from field measurements and verified on a regular basis.
| 2002 NIAGARA RIVER WATER AVERAGE DIVERSION 2002 | ||||||||||
| Cubic Feet of Water Per Second (cf/s) | ||||||||||
| MONTH |
CANADIAN POWER |
AMERICAN POWER |
WATER RESOURCES |
|||||||
|
DeCew |
Sir Adam Beck Group |
Robert Moses |
Total Available |
Horseshoe Falls |
American Falls |
Total Over Falls |
Total Used For Power |
Excess |
Water Rental |
|
| January | 6,109 | 59,787 | 71,088 | 198,397 | 51,877 | 9,500 | 61,377 | 137,020 | 1,377 | 847 |
| February | 5,862 | 60,599 | 74,937 | 208,497 | 57,951 | 9,111 | 67,062 | 141,434 | 10,062 | 565 |
| March | 5,968 | 60,847 | 74,231 | 207,990 | 62,401 | 4,132 | 66,532 | 141,258 | 16,532 | 388 |
| April (day) | 7,381 | 54,208 | 57,068 | 220,362 | 91,394 | 10,276 | 101,670 | 118,692 | 1,670 | 212 |
| April (night) | 7,275 | 58,975 | 80,234 | 208,461 | 52,089 | 9,853 | 61,942 | 146,520 | 11,942 | 4,308 |
| May (day) | 7,098 | 56,185 | 61,200 | 227,672 | 92,983 | 10,170 | 103,154 | 124,519 | 3,154 | 600 |
| May (night | 7,310 | 57,174 | 80,128 | 213,264 | 58,304 | 10,312 | 68,616 | 144,648 | 18,616 | 2,048 |
| June (day) | 7,275 | 55,832 | 57,280 | 221,810 | 91,429 | 9,959 | 101,388 | 120,422 | 1,388 | 176 |
| June (night) | 7,275 | 57,209 | 80,870 | 208,073 | 51,877 | 10,806 | 62,683 | 145,390 | 12,683 | 4,273 |
| July (day) | 7,098 | 51,383 | 51,945 | 211,322 | 90,829 | 10,029 | 90,264 | 110,464 | MINUS | 0 |
| July (night) | 7,168 | 58,587 | 76,456 | 198,715 | 45,485 | 10,983 | 56,468 | 142,247 | 6,468 | 4,450 |
| August (day) | 6,427 | 48,134 | 47,816 | 203,341 | 91,288 | 9,641 | 100,929 | 102,412 | 929 | 0 |
| August (night) | 6,498 | 57,810 | 70,982 | 190,310 | 44,531 | 10,453 | 54,985 | 135,325 | 4,985 | 2,896 |
| September (day) | 7,027 | 45,132 | 44,920 | 197,867 | 91,217 | 9,535 | 100,752 | 97,115 | 752 | 0 |
| September (night) | 7,027 | 56,221 | 68,051 | 185,295 | 43,613 | 10,347 | 53,960 | 131,335 | 3,960 | 2,225 |
| October (day) | 6,074 | 43,825 | 43,013 | 193,982 | 91,253 | 9,782 | 101,035 | 92,948 | 1,035 | 71 |
| October (night) | 6,251 | 55,373 | 65,226 | 183,212 | 45,626 | 10,700 | 56,327 | 126,885 | 6,327 | 1,130 |
| November | 5,827 | 58,198 | 72,077 | 192,323 | 46,650 | 9,535 | 56,185 | 136,137 | 6,185 | 3,920 |
| December | 5,721 | 59,399 | 71,759 | 193,771 | 47,321 | 9,535 | 56,856 | 136,914 | 6,850 | 2,931 |
|
Canadian Niagara Power (Not Producing) uses 1 cm/s (35 cf/s) |
||||||||||
| Data Source - International Niagara Committee "Report of Niagara River Diversions - 2002" | ||||||||||
At this time the Welland Canal diverts 9,500 cubic feet of water per second from Lake Erie. The New York Barge (Black Rock) Canal diverts 1,100 cubic feet of water per second from the Niagara River.
| 2003 NIAGARA RIVER WATER AVERAGE DIVERSION 2003 | ||||||||||
| Cubic Feet of Water Per Second (cf/s) | ||||||||||
| MONTH |
CANADIAN POWER |
AMERICAN POWER |
WATER RESOURCES |
|||||||
|
DeCew |
Sir Adam Beck Group |
Robert Moses |
Total Available |
Horseshoe Falls |
American Falls |
Total Over Falls |
Total Used For Power |
Excess |
Water Rental |
|
| January | 5,791 | 56,327 | 61,800 | 185,329 | 53,113 | 8,263 | 61,376 | 123,953 | 11,953 |
459 |
| February | 5,791 | 57,527 | 58,551 | 180,172 | 49,793 | 8,475 | 58,268 | 121,904 | 8,263 | |
| March | 5,971 | 60,423 | 64,414 | 185,016 | 44,885 | 9,288 | 54,173 | 130,843 | 4,174 | 1,024 |
| April (day) | 6,321 | 44,178 | 43,931 | 195,535 | 91,147 | 9,923 | 101,070 | 94,465 | 1,070 | |
| April (night) | 6,180 | 55,479 | 62,012 | 179.679 | 45,697 | 10,276 | 55,973 | 123,706 | 5,973 | 494 |
| May (day) | 6,922 | 49,687 | 50,429 | 208,213 | 90,334 | 10,806 | 101,140 | 107,073 | 1,140 | |
| May (night | 7,063 | 59,364 | 66,709 | 194,018 | 49,652 | 11,195 | 60,847 | 133,171 | 10,847 | 353 |
| June (day) | 6,923 | 49,581 | 49,723 | 207,155 | 91,111 | 9,782 | 100,893 | 106,262 | 893 | |
| June (night) | 7,133 | 60,070 | 69,075 | 192,322 | 45,238 | 10,771 | 56,009 | 136,313 | 6,009 | 953 |
| July (day) | 7,381 | 49,723 | 50,288 | 208,427 | 90,370 | 10,630 | 101,000 | 107,427 | 1,000 | |
| July (night) | 7,381 | 59,116 | 71,759 | 194,191 | 44,108 | 11,795 | 55,903 | 138,288 | 5,903 | 1,942 |
| August (day) | 6,392 | 52,301 | 52,513 | 208,356 | 86,768 | 10,347 | 97,115 | 111,241 | MINUS | 35 |
| August (night) | 6,992 | 58,799 | 72,960 | 195,820 | 45,910 | 11,124 | 57,034 | 138,786 | 7,034 | 3,319 |
| September (day) | 7,169 | 46,438 | 47,004 | 201,751 | 90,829 | 10,276 | 101,105 | 100,646 | 1,105 | |
| September (night) | 7,098 | 55,232 | 66,674 | 187,414 | 47,463 | 10,912 | 58,375 | 129,039 | 8,375 | 1,130 |
| October (day) | 6,886 | 46,121 | 46,262 | 200,232 | 90,793 | 10,135 | 100,928 | 99,304 | 928 | |
| October (night) | 7,063 | 58,516 | 66,215 | 188,332 | 45,838 | 10,665 | 56,503 | 131,829 | 6,503 | 565 |
| November | 6,074 | 60,423 | 71,582 | 196,948 | 48,946 | 9,888 | 58,834 | 138,114 | 8,834 | 2,048 |
| December | 6,109 | 60,105 | 73,172 | 199,279 | 50,041 | 9,817 | 59,858 | 139,421 | 9,858 | 2,625 |
|
Canadian Niagara Power (Not Producing) uses 1 cm/s (35 cf/s) |
||||||||||
| Data Source - International Niagara Committee "Report of Niagara River Diversions - 2003" | ||||||||||
At this time the Welland Canal diverts 9,500 cubic feet of water per second from Lake Erie. The New York Barge (Black Rock) Canal diverts 1,100 cubic feet of water per second from the Niagara River.
|
|
||
|
DATE (WEEK OF) |
RATE OF FLOW |
LAKE LEVEL |
| December 4th 2003 | 210,100 | |
| December 11th 2003 | 186,500 | 570.67 feet |
| December 18th 2003 | 201,300 | 570.63 feet |
| December 26th 2003 | 204,500 | 570.70 feet |
| January 1st 2004 | 209,100 | 570.77 feet |
| January 8th 2004 | 208,400 | 570.92 feet |
| January 15th 2004 | 200,900 | 571.03 feet |
| January 22nd 2004 | 198,500 | 570.70 feet |
| January 29th 2004 | 202,000 | 570.50 feet |
| February 5th 2004 | 200,200 | 570.54 feet |
| February 12th 2004 | 190,300 | 570.47 feet |
| February 19th 2004 | 187,500 | 570.38 feet |
| February 26th 2004 | 187,900 | 570.49 feet |
| March 4th 2004 | 191,000 | 570.59 feet |
| March 11th 2004 | 203,400 | 570.80 feet |
| March 18th 2004 | 196,300 | 570.85 feet |
| March 25th 2004 | 201,600 | 570.90 feet |
| April 1st 2004 | 202,300 | 571.31 feet |
| April 15th 2004 | 205,700 | 571.33 feet |
| April 22nd 2004 | 211,500 | 571.39 feet |
| April 29th 2004 | 210,500 | 571.39 feet |
| May 6th 2004 | 211,200 | 571.45 feet |
| May 13th 2004 | 210,800 | 571.57 feet |
| May 20th 2004 | 213,300 | 571.61 feet |
| May 27th 2004 | 221,800 | 572.04 feet |
| June 3rd 2004 | 223,900 | 572.07 feet |
| June 10th 2004 | 217,900 | 572.12 feet |
| June 17th 2004 | 211,200 | 572.28 feet |
| June 24th 2004 | 218,600 | 572.20 feet |
| July 8th 2004 | 216,800 | 571.92 feet |
| July 15th 2004 | 222,000 | 571.95 feet |
| July 22nd 2004 | 220,000 | 571.88 feet |
| Aug 5th 2004 | 219,700 | 572.17 feet |
| August 12th 2004 | 216,100 | 571.82 feet |
|
Data Source - US Army Corps of Engineers - Buffalo, New York |
||
|
|
|
|
DATE |
RATE OF FLOW |
| September 2000 | 191,090 |
| October 2000 | 186,710 |
| November 2000 | 189,460 |
| December 2000 | 188,160 |
| January 2001 | 178,200 |
| February 2001 | 183,670 |
| March 2001 | 187,590 |
| April 2001 | 190,490 |
| May 2001 | 193,030 |
| June 2001 | 187,700 |
| July 2001 | 180,700 |
| August 2001 | 180,600 |
| September 2001 | 172,720 |
| October 2001 | 182,890 |
| November 2001 | 180,560 |
| December 2001 | 192,390 |
| January 2002 | 192,680 |
| February 2002 | 202,280 |
| March 2002 | 201,580 |
| April 2002 | 208,430 |
| May 2002 | 214,920 |
| June 2002 | 208,250 |
| July 2002 | 199,420 |
| August 2002 | 191,300 |
| September 2002 | 184,870 |
| October 2002 | 182,890 |
| November 2002 | 185,820 |
| December 2002 | 187,838 |
| January 2003 | 180,030 |
| February 2003 | 174,060 |
| March 2003 | 178,970 |
| April 2003 | 183,210 |
| May 2003 | 195,010 |
| June 2003 | 193,770 |
| July 2003 | 195,640 |
| August 2003 | 195,850 |
| September 2003 | 187,940 |
| October 2003 | 187,560 |
| November 2003 | 190,630 |
| December 2003 | 193,280 |
| January 2004 | 196,630 |
| February 2004 | 183,040 |
|
Data Source - International Niagara Board of Control - International Joint Commission |
|
|
NIAGARA RIVER YEARLY AVERAGE FLOW 1860 - 2000 |
|||
|
CUBIC FEET PER SECOND (CF/S) |
|||
| YEAR | MINIMUM MONTHLY FLOW | MAXIMUM MONTHLY FLOW | AVERAGE FLOW |
| 1860 | 218,985 | 252,004 | 237,172 |
| 1861 | 205,989 | 252,004 | 236,924 |
| 1862 | 224,989 | 255,995 | 241,160 |
| 1863 | 220,009 | 239,008 | 231,875 |
| 1864 | 204,012 | 239,997 | 220,265 |
| 1865 | 186,001 | 224,000 | 210,580 |
| 1866 | 189,992 | 226,013 | 214,005 |
| 1867 | 198,997 | 236,996 | 215,665 |
| 1868 | 176,996 | 230,992 | 207,825 |
| 1869 | 189,003 | 230,992 | 215,312 |
| 1870 | 217,996 | 239,997 | 230,003 |
| 1871 | 201,010 | 230,003 | 216,583 |
| 1872 | 182,011 | 204,965 | 196,006 |
| 1873 | 179,009 | 227,002 | 209,732 |
| 1874 | 207,014 | 230,992 | 220,503 |
| 1875 | 183,000 | 215,983 | 204,682 |
| 1876 | 208,991 | 255,006 | 236,924 |
| 1877 | 202,988 | 224,000 | 217,360 |
| 1878 | 215,983 | 236,996 | 226,401 |
| 1879 | 201,999 | 217,996 | 208,496 |
| 1880 | 205,989 | 223,011 | 214,076 |
| 1881 | 188,014 | 226,013 | 210,262 |
| 1882 | 214,995 | 243,988 | 230,815 |
| 1883 | 205,989 | 243,988 | 226,436 |
| 1884 | 217,008 | 245,012 | 227,990 |
| 1885 | 192,994 | 242,010 | 226,083 |
| 1886 | 208,991 | 239,997 | 228,334 |
| 1887 | 213,017 | 242,010 | 225,836 |
| 1888 | 192,676 | 220,998 | 210,721 |
| 1889 | 192,994 | 217,996 | 205,671 |
| 1890 | 210,015 | 240,986 | 221,068 |
| 1891 | 189,992 | 208,002 | 200,339 |
| 1892 | 170,004 | 224,989 | 200,586 |
| 1893 | 176,007 | 224,989 | 200,762 |
| 1894 | 188,014 | 218,985 | 199,986 |
| 1895 | 169,015 | 186,990 | 178,832 |
| 1896 | 166,013 | 195,995 | 182,152 |
| 1897 | 173,994 | 211,004 | 194,582 |
| 1898 | 195,007 | 214,995 | 210,151 |
| 1899 | 181,658 | 208,002 | 194,900 |
| 1900 | 185,048 | 205,883 | 195,642 |
| 1901 | 169,863 | 189,992 | 182,823 |
| 1902 | 167,037 | 210,121 | 193,452 |
| 1903 | 187,167 | 217,890 | 205,459 |
| 1904 | 174,100 | 230,957 | 207,775 |
| 1905 | 180,104 | 222,834 | 203,411 |
| 1906 | 187,873 | 209,062 | 202,316 |
| 1907 | 199,880 | 226,013 | 213,793 |
| 1908 | 198,114 | 230,957 | 212,557 |
| 1909 | 183,988 | 220,009 | 200,656 |
| 1910 | 173,041 | 209,062 | 193,412 |
| 1911 | 169,863 | 194,936 | 184,306 |
| 1912 | 170,922 | 208,002 | 196,984 |
| 1913 | 203,058 | 239,079 | 215,912 |
| 1914 | 181,163 | 216,831 | 199,103 |
| 1915 | 174,100 | 199,880 | 188,085 |
| 1916 | 188,932 | 222,834 | 204,082 |
| 1917 | 179,044 | 234,135 | 212,098 |
| 1918 | 185,048 | 206,943 | 199,809 |
| 1919 | 198,114 | 229,897 | 211,569 |
| 1920 | 149,027 | 204,824 | 191,687 |
| 1921 | 186,107 | 215,065 | 198,961 |
| 1922 | 171,982 | 210,827 | 192,923 |
| 1923 | 165,978 | 194,936 | 180,351 |
| 1924 | 171,982 | 200,939 | 188,826 |
| 1925 | 157,856 | 180,104 | 171,028 |
| 1926 | 139,845 | 197,055 | 170,851 |
| 1927 | 169,863 | 203,058 | 185,577 |
| 1928 | 179,044 | 209,062 | 194,724 |
| 1929 | 187,873 | 247,908 | 220,574 |
| 1930 | 193,170 | 234,841 | 215,736 |
| 1931 | 165,978 | 185,048 | 177,243 |
| 1932 | 167,037 | 193,170 | 181,092 |
| 1933 | 157,856 | 193,877 | 172,581 |
| 1934 | 140,905 | 158,915 | 152,134 |
| 1935 | 143,024 | 168,097 | 157,008 |
| 1936 | 115,831 | 175,866 | 159,550 |
| 1937 | 173,041 | 206,943 | 187,272 |
| 1938 | 157,856 | 197,055 | 183,670 |
| 1939 | 165,978 | 199,880 | 184,412 |
| 1940 | 158,915 | 199,174 | 181,763 |
| 1941 | 169,863 | 185,048 | 177,208 |
| 1942 | 159,975 | 199,880 | 188,367 |
| 1943 | 183,988 | 238,020 | 211,004 |
| 1944 | 187,167 | 221,069 | 201,080 |
| 1945 | 175,160 | 220,009 | 208,143 |
| 1946 | 193,877 | 216,831 | 204,153 |
| 1947 | 177,985 | 224,023 | 209,309 |
| 1948 | 193,170 | 232,016 | 209,697 |
| 1949 | 180,104 | 204,118 | 194,053 |
| 1950 | 194,936 | 218,950 | 203,799 |
| 1951 | 200,939 | 232,016 | 215,383 |
| 1952 | 212,946 | 251,086 | 231,415 |
| 1953 | 204,824 | 224,953 | 217,113 |
| 1954 | 193,877 | 228,838 | 214,888 |
| 1955 | 204,118 | 236,960 | 220,468 |
| 1956 | 181,163 | 222,128 | 202,528 |
| 1957 | 185,048 | 212,946 | 197,690 |
| 1958 | 171,982 | 188,932 | 180,739 |
| 1959 | 164,919 | 197,055 | 182,339 |
| 1960 | 182,929 | 212,946 | 198,644 |
| 1961 | 179,044 | 224,953 | 200,233 |
| 1962 | 169,863 | 193,877 | 181,092 |
| 1963 | 155,031 | 185,048 | 169,615 |
| 1964 | 139,139 | 182,929 | 160,822 |
| 1965 | 152,912 | 182,929 | 171,204 |
| 1966 | 174,100 | 197,055 | 185,330 |
| 1967 | 180,104 | 205,883 | 193,841 |
| 1968 | 192,111 | 214,006 | 206,236 |
| 1969 | 198,114 | 236,996 | 218,808 |
| 1970 | 195,995 | 218,950 | 209,132 |
| 1971 | 204,824 | 226,013 | 212,240 |
| 1972 | 204,824 | 236,960 | 228,237 |
| 1973 | 232,016 | 263,093 | 247,024 |
| 1974 | 223,894 | 264,859 | 242,151 |
| 1975 | 232,016 | 245,083 | 236,995 |
| 1976 | 223,046 | 257,019 | 236,183 |
| 1977 | 189,992 | 227,990 | 214,182 |
| 1978 | 202,988 | 236,996 | 217,325 |
| 1979 | 196,984 | 233,005 | 220,998 |
| 1980 | 217,008 | 242,999 | 230,850 |
| 1981 | 201,010 | 229,014 | 219,585 |
| 1982 | 207,014 | 237,984 | 220,927 |
| 1983 | 214,995 | 239,997 | 227,672 |
| 1984 | 211,357 | 233,005 | 226,330 |
| 1985 | 199,986 | 261,009 | 240,173 |
| 1986 | 224,000 | 268,002 | 252,002 |
| 1987 | 217,008 | 252,958 | 237,172 |
| 1988 | 198,008 | 220,009 | 207,684 |
| 1989 | 186,001 | 224,000 | 204,753 |
| 1990 | 192,994 | 220,998 | 211,004 |
| 1991 | 193,170 | 226,013 | 211,110 |
| 1992 | 191,051 | 228,838 | 213,123 |
| 1993 | 212,593 | 243,670 | 227,036 |
| 1994 | 199,527 | 231,663 | 215,171 |
| 1995 | 199,974 | 219,656 | 210,085 |
| 1996 | 194,583 | 226,013 | 215,887 |
| 1997 | 230,604 | 260,268 | 244,658 |
| 1998 | 199,174 | 251,439 | 230,886 |
| 1999 | 184,695 | 207,296 | 193,735 |
| 2000 | 173,747 | 210,999 | 188,493 |
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NIAGARA RIVER 140 YEAR AVERAGE FLOW = 207,838 CUBIC FEET PER SECOND |
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Ontario Power Generation are upgrading their generators at Sir Adam Beck Generating Station #2 that will increase the total generating capacity by approximately 148 megawatts (MW). The New York State Power Authority have upgraded the generators at Robert Moses Generating Station which increased the maximum output of each from 175 megawatts to 200 megawatts. This upgrade has increased the generation capacity from 2,275 MW to 2,600 MW.
To learn more about the history of hydro-electric power generation visit The History of Power
Here are more Educational Web Sites about this subject, please visit:
International Joint Commission
International Niagara Board of Control
US Army Corps of Engineers - Buffalo
| NIAGARA FALLS THUNDER ALLEY NAVIGATOR | ||
| SITE MAP | ||
The following locations and facts about them are but a few of many famous sites & attractions to be found in Niagara Falls. The best of it is FREE to see...so think of Niagara Falls when planning your next vacation. If you have questions of a current or historical nature about the Niagara Falls area or suggestions feel free to e-mail Rick at
THANK YOU FOR VISITING THE
A RIVER DIVERSION
NIAGARA RIVER WATER DIVERSION
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