2005-2013
Last updated on
March 10, 2010
This site is dedicated to all the men and women working at the Niagara Tunnel Project
A special THANK YOU is extended to the following companies and persons
for allowing access to obtain information and photographs contained herein.
STRABAG INC.
ONTARIO POWER GENERATION
and
THE ROBBINS COMPANY
Ernst Gschnitzer - Strabag Inc.
Project Manager Niagara Tunnel Project
Erich Kapeller - Strabag Inc.
Senior Construction Engineering Manager Niagara Tunnel Project
Alexander Herz - Strabag Inc.
Tunnel Construction Manager Niagara Tunnel Project
Robert Radlinger - Strabag Inc.
Project Administration Manager Niagara Tunnel Project
Johan Viljoen - Strabag Inc.
Project Health & Safety Manager Niagara Tunnel Project
Dean Norton
Public Affairs and Property Management Advisor
Ontario Power Generation
while the information contained on this site is believed to be accurate
it has not been reviewed or approved by the above named companies
Current Location of Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM)
Sunday March 7th 2010
March 8th 2010
Ontario Power Generation year end financial report to December 31st 2009 released.
The report stated in part:
Niagara Tunnel
In June 2009, following the recommendations of a dispute review board, OPG and the contractor signed an amended design-build contract with a revised target cost and schedule. The target cost and schedule took into account the difficult rock conditions encountered and the concurrent tunnel excavation and liner installation work required to expedite completion of the tunnel. The amended contract includes incentives and disincentives related to achieving the target cost and schedule. OPG’s Board of Directors approved a revised project cost estimate of $1.6 billion and a revised scheduled completion date of December 2013. Some uncertainty with respect to the cost and schedule for both the tunnel excavation and liner installation will continue.As of December 31, 2009, the Tunnel Boring Machine (“TBM”) has progressed 5,481 metres, which is 54 percent of the tunnel length. The advancement of the TBM was temporarily interrupted from September 11, 2009 to December 8, 2009 to repair a short section of the temporary tunnel liner that failed about 1,800 metres behind the TBM location at that time, and to complete a planned overhaul of the TBM cutterhead, conveyor systems and other tunnel construction equipment. Installation of the lower one-third of the permanent tunnel concrete lining is progressing ahead of schedule. Restoration of the circular cross-section of the tunnel before installation of the upper two-thirds of the concrete lining began, as planned, in September 2009. Installation of the upper two-thirds of the concrete lining is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2010.
Uncertainty with respect to the cost and schedule for both the tunnel excavation and liner installation continues. There are a number of factors which contribute to this uncertainty, including challenging rock conditions. Allowances for differing rock conditions have been included in the cost estimate and schedule. Major equipment breakdown is also a risk factor. To mitigate this risk, the contractor is monitoring the equipment and maintenance programs are in place, with critical spare parts available, to minimize potential delays. In addition, there is risk with respect to the rate of progress for the restoration of the circular cross-section of the tunnel. Mitigation measures such as extended operations and use of additional equipment are planned by the contractor.
There are also uncertainties associated with aspects of the project which have yet to begin, such as the installation of the upper two-thirds of the concrete lining and tunnel pre-stress grouting. Allowances have been included in the cost estimate and schedule with respect to these uncertainties. Finally, events such as tunnel failure or flood are also a potential risk. The vendor has implemented appropriate tunnel convergence and cofferdam monitoring programs, and has rigorous emergency response programs in place, including safety drills and redundant equipment and materials on site, in order to minimize the impact should such an event occur.
The capital project expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2009 were $214 million and the life-to date capital expenditures were $649 million. The project is debt financed through the OEFC. OPG is in the process of pursuing an amendment to the Niagara Tunnel project credit facility with the OEFC, consistent with the revised cost estimate of $1.6 billion and the revised schedule.
OPG has an agreement with the OEFC to finance the Niagara Tunnel project for up to $1 billion over the duration of the project. The funding is advanced in the form of 10-year notes, on commercial terms and conditions. Advances under this facility commenced in October 2006 and amounted to $490 million as at December 31, 2009, which included $150 million of new borrowing during 2009. OPG is in the process of pursuing an amendment to the Niagara Tunnel project credit facility, consistent with the revised cost estimate of $1.6 billion, and the revised schedule.
In September 2005, OPG reached an agreement with the OEFC to provide debt financing for the Niagara Tunnel project. The funding, which is up to $1 billion over the duration of the project, will be in the form 118 of 10-year notes, which will be issued quarterly to meet the project’s obligations. Interest will be fixed for each note issued at the time of advance at a rate equal to the prevailing Benchmark Government of Canada 10-Year Bond, plus a credit spread determined by the OEFC based on a survey of market rates. As at December 31, 2009, OPG issued $490 million against this facility, which included new borrowing of $150 million under the facility in 2009. OPG is in the process of pursuing an amendment to the Niagara Tunnel project credit facility, consistent with the revised cost estimate of $1.6 billion, and the revised schedule.
March 7th 2010
The TBM is at 6,152.6 meters. There is less than 30 cm over-break. The daily mining average is 10.4 meters. Elevation is 92 meters below the surface.
The TBM has mined 672 meters since January 1st 2010. During the past week, mining had been suspended for three days to allow for routine maintenance and upgrades.The Invert Concrete Carrier is at 4,225 meters (March 4th).
The Overbreak/Restoration Carrier is at 1,250 meters (March 4th).
A View Inside the Niagara Tunnel
January 16th 2010
The crown of the TBM approaching the flat bottom layer of Power Glen rock strata
January 16th 2010
TBM Record Best
BEST MONTH: July 2009 for mining with a distance of 467.8 meters (1,534.7 feet)
BEST WEEK: June 28th 2009 for mining with a distance of 121.3 meters (398 feet)
BEST DAY: July 11th 2009 for mining with a distance of 22.3 meters (73 feet)
BEST SHIFT: July 5th 2009 for a mining shift with a distance of 14 meters (46 feet)
Total Tunnel Length:
10,161 meters long
33,336 feet
The TBM reached the 5,000 meter milestone of the Niagara Tunnel Project at 14:08 hours (2:08 p.m.) on July 29th 2009
The TBM reached the 5,079 meter official halfway milestone of the Niagara Tunnel Project at 02:30 hours (2:30 a.m.) on August 4th 2009
INDEX
Progress to Date/Current Location
Rowa Tunneling Logistics Company
McNally International Construction & Marine Company
Morrison Hershfield Consulting Engineers
Bermingham Construction Company
Strabag Organization Chart - Niagara Tunnel Project
Niagara Tunnel Project - Technical Facts
Niagara Tunnel Project - Vehicles, Carriers & Bridges
Niagara Tunnel Project - Chronology of Events
Strata of the Niagara Gorge Chart
Niagara River & Water Diversion
Need For The New Niagara Tunnel
Ontario Power Generation - Quarterly Reports
The St. Barbara Ceremony held inside the Niagara Tunnel on December 4th 2008
The red arrow points to the size of an average man in stark comparison to the immense size of the tunnel
On Friday June 25th 2004, the Ontario Government announced that Ontario Power Generation has been given approval to proceed with the 3rd tunnel under the City of Niagara Falls.
The first two tunnels were built during the 1950's.
On Thursday August 18th 2005, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) announced the selection of the Austrian - STRABAG AG COMPANY to build the $600 million dollar hydro tunnel. The 10.4 kilometer (6.4 miles) water tunnel will run under the City of Niagara Falls from the upper Niagara River to the Sir Adam Beck Power Stations at Queenston at a maximum depth of 140 meters (459 feet). This third tunnel project is expected to be one of the largest tunnels built in North America.
The new tunnel will parallel the existing water tunnels but at a lower depth. The existing tunnels reach a maximum depth of 100 meters (328 feet).
On Wednesday September 14th 2005, the official ground breaking ceremonies were held to announce the beginning of this massive project.
Currently, Sir Adam Beck Power Group generates 2,080 megawatts. Approximately 1,800 cubic meters (63,566 cubic feet) of water per second from the existing twin tunnels and the hydro canal supply the Sir Adam Beck Stations. The new tunnel will divert an additional 500 cubic meters (17,657 cubic feet) of water per second.
Strabag AG will also undertake remedial work on the former Ontario Power Station, the Ontario Power Station Water Intake Gate House and the former Toronto Power Station increasing the contract cost to $985 million dollars.
The project has now been projected to be completed in 2012 or 2013 from the initial date of 2009.
The course and depth for the new Niagara Tunnel had been predetermined many years ago as a result of the location of the original hydro canal (1921), the subsequent twin water tunnels (1955), the ancient buried St. David's Gorge and urban development.
The hydro canal was initially designed to consist of two canals leading from the Welland River to the Chippawa-Queenston Power Station (Sir Adam Beck #1). The course of the canal dissected the city in an area that was predominately rural at that time. After the first canal was built, the second canal plan was abandoned. The excess hydro land was returned to the city for urban development.
In the early 1950's, twin 14 meter (45 feet) diameter water tunnels were built under the city at a maximum depth of 330 feet nearest Chippawa and slowly rising before surfacing and terminating near Whirlpool Road into an open cut canal. Engineers determined that the existing tunnels and canal would have been too hazardous and expensive to continue as they passed underground through the glacial silt of the buried St. David's Gorge. In both instances the water is channeled on the surface as it crosses the buried gorge through concrete lined trapezoidal sections.
The corridor of land utilized for the location of the twin tunnels was previously owned by the hydro company and/or upon city land that was for the most part undeveloped.
Since the 1950's, the urban development of the City of Niagara Falls has grown exponentially so that today, little if any excess land was available.
History, geology and urban development has dictated the current location of the new Niagara Tunnel with little flexibility. The new tunnel would begin in an area of land near the forebay' of the Sir Adam Beck Power Generating Stations.
The Niagara Tunnel had no alternative than to bore steeply underground in order to tunnel underneath the ancient buried St. David's Gorge and to maintain a safe separation from the existing tunnels . The current path of the Niagara Tunnel is (for the most part) to follow the path of the existing twin tunnels.
The Niagara Tunnel is 14.4 meters (47.2 feet) in diameter at a maximum depth of 140 meters (459.3 feet). Both are unprecedented in size and depth in Niagara. The rock strata at the current depth of the tunnel boring machine is predominately Queenston Shale (mudstone). The reddish-purplish shale is fractured and has resulted in many roof-line rock falls slowing the boring operation. Although test boring samples were conducted in preparation for this project, none uncovered the vertical fracturing in the rock strata that the tunneling crews are currently experiencing.
Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is owned by the Province of Ontario and is an electricity generation company whose principle business is the generation and sale of electricity in the Province of Ontario. OPG has approximately 11,300 employees. Power generation is produced by nuclear, hydroelectric, fossil and wind. Ontario Power Generation produced 109 TWh or 70% of Ontario's electricity in 2005.
Strabag AG is an Internationally world renown engineering and construction company based in Spittal, Austria. It was established by Anton Lerchbaumer is 1835 and has become the largest construction company in Germany and Austria.
Strabag's current CEO is Peter Haselsteiner. The company has approximately 40,000 employees world wide. Revenues in 2005 amounted to €9.8 billion Euros.
Strabag has extensive experience in road construction, structural engineering and other building fields including tunneling, civil engineering, bridge construction, power plant construction, rail construction, environmental technology and specialized underground engineering and project development.
With more than 50 years on innovation and experience, The Robbins Company is the world's foremost developer and manufacturer of advanced underground construction machinery.
In 1952 James S. Robbins, the founder of the Robbins Company, built the first successful hard rock tunnel boring machine (TBM). That success provided the foundation of innovation upon which Robbins continues to build.
Over the past 50 years Robbins has been involved in hundreds of tunnel boring projects around the world. Robbins is an international organization with four primary manufacturing facilities, seven international sales & service locations, and representatives worldwide.
The largest hard rock TBM in the world (14.4 m in diameter) will be designed and manufactured by The Robbins Company. Austria based Strabag AG, the contractor for the Niagara Tunnel Project, awarded the TBM order to The Robbins Company based in Solon, Ohio USA. The Robbins tunnel boring machine (TBM) will be an open, hard rock, main beam TBM that utilizes the proven Robbins floating gripper design. The TBM will be manufactured with a state-of-the-art ground support system.
HATCH MOTT MACDONALD ENGINEERING COMPANY
Hatch Mott MacDonald is an international award winning full service consulting engineering firm offering public and private clients multi-disciplined expertise and comprehensive capabilities in planning, environmental assessments, studies and analysis, design, procurement, construction engineering and inspection, project, program and construction management and facility maintenance and operations.
With more than a century of experience, Hatch Mott MacDonald has approximately 10,000 employees world-wide providing the absolute best and highest engineering technical service.Hatch Mott MacDonald is a North American company which has earned a reputation for technical excellence, innovation and client responsiveness on some of the most prominent and challenging projects. They have an extensive record of major accomplishments in the fields of transportation, tunnels, water conveyance, wastewater/CSO, environmental, gas pipelines, buildings and utilities.
Hatch Mott MacDonald's tunneling expertise began over 100 years ago, in the development of the London underground road and rail systems, and Toronto's subway system more than 50 years ago.
Peter Wickens is the current President and CEO.Hatch Mott MacDonald and Hatch Acres are acting as Owner’s Representatives to Ontario Power Generation on the Niagara Tunnel Project.
Through six decades, Hatch (which joined with long-time partner Mott MacDonald to create the infrastructure unit Hatch Mott MacDonald in North America in 1996) became prominent in North American transportation when it provided tunneling skills, know-how, design and management to several Toronto Transit Commission subway extensions, the CP Rail tunnel joining Windsor and Detroit, the Schreyer-Award winning CN Rail tunnel between Sarnia and Port Huron, tunnels for the Los Angeles Red Line subway, tunnels for BART in the San Francisco Bay area, tunnel-jacking for the massive Boston Central Artery project, and the recent Schreyer-winner dual-purpose (rail and auto traffic) Whittier Tunnel in Alaska.
ROWA TUNNELING LOGISTICS COMPANY
Rowa Tunneling Logistics AG is a worldwide construction and engineering company specializing in tunneling installations and logistics systems. It is headquartered in Wangen, Switzerland.
Rowa Tunneling Logistics serves tunnel projects around the globe. Rowa logistics systems and back-up equipment have proved themselves in the construction of the Channel Tunnel, in Manapouri (New Zealand) and in Siberia. They have been involved in Swiss projects such as the Vereina Tunnel and the high-performance rail transit through the Alps in the St. Gotthard and Lötschberg mountain ranges. They have been involved in more than one hundred large construction sites, many of them prestige projects.
Strabag has contracted Rowa Tunneling Logistics to develop and manufacture a backup system compatible with the 14.4 meter (47.2 feet) diameter Robbins gripper TBM. This 105 meter (344.48 feet) long backup unit will consist of four elements on four levels. The first element will consist of a stepper installation while the remaining three are towed on running gears.
Rowa Tunneling Logistics Company will be providing for the essentials required to facilitate the tunneling to proceed in a safe and efficient manner. This includes removal of debris, air ventilation, dust control and mortar installation. In addition to the typical infrastructure components, two rock bolt drilling machines for anchor lengths up to 6 meters (19.6 feet). Two longitudinal displaceable 360° round spray robots are included. The removal of the excavated material will be by way of a conveyor belt assembly.
McNALLY INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION & MARINE COMPANY
McNally International Incorporated and its group of companies was established in 1949, under the name S. McNally & Sons Limited.
Post-war house building was the main activity in the early years but soon changed to heavy civil engineering projects. Since the 1950's, the name "McNally" has become synonymous with difficult and demanding projects.
Throughout the years, McNally International has completed projects including roads, bridges, sewage treatment plants, sewers, and water mains. They are best known for their experience in underground tunnel work.Tunnel construction is still one of the most exacting sectors of the construction industry. McNally International is recognized as Canada's leading Tunnel Contractor. They built tunnels for water, sewer, steam, subways, power transmission, traffic and pedestrians.
In the 1980's we started McNally Tunneling Corporation expanded operations in the United States. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, McNally Tunneling has completed projects in Birmingham, Cleveland, Houston, Seattle, Chicago, Minneapolis and Columbus.
Construction like many industries has its own cycle of activities. One sector most acutely affected has been marine construction. In the 90's McNally purchased the marine assets of the Beaver Construction Group of Montreal, and started a new company called Beaver Marine Limited based in Nova Scotia. After a couple of years, McNally acquired the marine assets of Canadian Dredge and Dock, Pitts Engineering and MacNamara Marine all major players in the Construction industry in their day.Under the new McNally International flag these assets help make up one of the best equipped and manned construction fleets anywhere in Canada.
Together with Beaver, McNally Construction Group is capable of completing marine construction or dredging projects anywhere in the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence River or Eastern Canada.
McNally International Incorporated with its team of experienced and dedicated professionals is ready for the future.McNally International - Marine Division is employed at the Niagara Tunnel Project in the preparation and construction of the Upper Niagara River intake.
Founded in 1912, Dufferin Construction is part of the St. Lawrence Cement Group, the largest cement producer in eastern Canada. Dufferin is a leader in its own right - Canada's biggest concrete paving company and one of Canada's largest heavy civil engineering contractors. Dufferin Construction has headquarters in Oakville Ontario. One of their many major projects included the building of Highway #407. Dufferin Constructions principal area of operation is Southern Ontario from Windsor to Ottawa.
Strabag has contracted Dufferin Construction for surface and concrete works including the construction of the Grout Gallery Tunnel at the intake site.
MORRISON HERSHFIELD CONSULTING ENGINEERS
Morrison Hershfield is a multidisciplinary engineering and management firm. Engineering and design build services are provided to clients in the Transportation, Building, Life Sciences, Municipal, Utilities and Telecommunications sectors.
Morrison Hershfield Group Inc. is an employee owned organization. It is a corporate holding company with a mandate to operate national and international professional consulting engineering businesses through the Morrison Hershfield Group of Companies.
Morrison Hershfield has been employed in the design of the Niagara Tunnel Project.
At the 2008 Canadian Consulting Engineer Awards, Morrison Hershfield Limited won an award for the Water resources & energy production category for their work on the Intake works at the Niagara Tunnel Project in Niagara Falls.
ILF Consulting Engineers was founded by Mr. P.Lässer, M.Sc., and Mr. A.H.Feizlmayr, M.Sc., in 1969. The abbreviation ILF is derived from the German company name "Ingenieurgemeinschaft Lässer-Feizlmayr".
On the basis of its well-tested know-how, ILF has continually extended its mission to all continents. Today, ILF ranks among the world's leading independent engineering consultants; particularly with regard to tunneling, underground construction and pipeline engineering.
ILF has been employed in the design of the Niagara Tunnel Project.
Peter Kiewit Sons Co. was founded in Omaha, Nebraska in 1884. Canadian operations began in 1941 and currently comprise Eastern and Western Districts, with permanent offices in Newfoundland, Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.
The Eastern Canada District is responsible for all construction work from Newfoundland to Manitoba and Construction Kiewit Cie builds work in Quebec. All other work is performed by Peter Kiewit Sons Co.
The District is certified ISO 9001 and employs 160-180 engineers, superintendents and technicians. An annual university-recruiting program ensures the continuity and growth of the district. Some 300-500 craft employees are hired each year to complement permanent staff.
In recent years, the District has built some of the most challenging work in Eastern Canada, including major participation in the gigantic James Bay hydroelectric complex, the development and ongoing open pit mining of the Raglan nickel mine, the Hibernia offshore oil platform and the Thousand Islands and Humber bridges in the transportation sector.On March 30th 2006, Ontario Power Generation awarded Peter Kiewit Sons Company a contract worth $17 million dollars for the decommissioning of the retired Toronto Power Generating Station (TPGS), the retired Ontario Power Generating Station (OPGS) Power Generating Stations and the Ontario Power Generating Station Gate House in Niagara Falls.
The work at the three sites includes electrical and mechanical removals of existing equipment down to the thrust deck floor. Additional work includes:
Toronto Power Generating Station - sealing of twenty-three (23) portals and backfilling the inner forebay of the power station. This required the dewatering of the inner and outer forebays by means of a rock cofferdam approximately 80 meters (262 feet).
Ontario Power Generating Station - sealing of the penstock openings
Ontario Power Generating Station Water Intake Gate House - removal of the existing head-gates and concrete seals constructed in their place. This work required the dewatering by means of a sectional stop-log cofferdam.
Work is scheduled for completion in the Spring of 2007.
BERMINGHAM CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
Established in 1897, Bermingham Foundation Solutions is an internationally renown company having works in more than 33 countries worldwide.
Bermingham Construction has been instrumental in building the infrastructure of Canada. The company worked on the famous Crow’s Nest Pass for the Canadian National Railway, as well as ports, docks, bridges and highway overpasses all over the country.
Today, the company is active in building foundations for bridges, condominium towers, power plants, water treatment plants, and docks mostly in Ontario and Eastern Canada.
Bermingham is an industry leader and innovator. It is known for developing the StatnamicTM Load test which is used extensively in Asia, North America and Europe.Bermingham is introducing a revolutionary green technology to North America - geothermal foundations that produce heating and cooling.
Bermingham Construction Company has been employed in the building of cofferdams and steel sheet pile-driving for the Niagara Tunnel Project.
ORGANIZATION CHART - NIAGARA TUNNEL PROJECT
(click above link)
Niagara
Tunnel Project
TECHNICAL FACTS
(click above link)
There are many tunnel vehicles, carriers and bridges that are utilized in the construction of the Niagara Tunnel. Click above to learn more.
Niagara Tunnel Project
CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS
click above
Latest Events
March 7th 2010 -
The TBM is at 6,152.6 meters. There is
less than 30 cm over-break. The daily mining average is 10.4 meters. Elevation
is 92 meters below the surface.
The TBM has mined 672 meters since January 1st 2010. During the past week,
mining had been suspended for three days to allow for routine maintenance and
upgrades.
March 4th 2010 -
The TBM is at 6,097.5 meters. There is 1-2 meter over-break to the left side of the TBM cutter-head crown. The daily mining average is 9 meters. The Invert Concrete Carrier is at 4,225 meters. The Overbreak/Restoration Carrier is at 1,250 meters.
February 21st 2010 -
The tunnel is 17.7 meters from reaching the 6,000 meters
mark. There is 1-2 meter over-break to the left side of the TBM cutter-head
crown. The daily mining average is 9 meters. Since January 1st 2010 the
TBM has mined 501.6 meters.
A new air shaft is currently under construction at the 5,318 meter mark of the
tunnel. An 8 meter long adit (shaft) will be mined perpendicular into the eastern side of the
existing tunnel at the springline before a pilot hole is drilled from the surface. Once the pilot
hole reaches the access shaft, a 3 meter diameter hole will be constructed to
the surface. This shaft will supply fresh air to the tunnel.
TUNNEL INTAKE
December 2009 - Spring 2010 -
The concrete work on the intake has been suspended throughout
the winter months. Work will begin again in the Spring when the weather becomes warmer.
TUNNEL OUTLET
Spring 2010 -
Tunnel vehicles, carriers and bridges are being assembled in preparation for tunnel entry.
STRATA OF THE NIAGARA GORGE CHART
NIAGARA RIVER AND WATER DIVERSION
The Niagara River is 35 miles (59 km) long and runs in a north-south direction from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. It is an International Boundary between Canada and USA. The average flow of the river is estimated at 6,000 cubic meters per second (211,887 cubic feet per second).
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 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.
NEED FOR THE NEW NIAGARA TUNNEL
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)- Rankine Generating Station - 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)
|
ONTARIO POWER GENERATION |
||||
|
SIR ADAM BECK HYDRO-ELECTRIC GENERATING STATIONS - NIAGARA GROUP CAPACITY TABLE - NIAGARA RIVER DIVERSION |
||||
| GENERATING STATIONS | YEAR IN SERVICE | DIVERSION CAPACITY cubic meters/second (cubic feet/second) |
POWER
CAPACITY megawatts |
AVERAGE ANNUAL ENERGY |
| Sir Adam Beck #1 GS | 1922 |
625 cm/s |
487 | 2,700 |
| Sir Adam Beck #2 GS | 1955 | 1,200 cm/s (42,377.4 c/ft/s) |
1,472 | 9,200 |
| Sir Adam Beck Pump GS | 1958 | n/a | 122 | -100 |
| CURRENT TOTALS | 1,825 cm/s (64,448.9 c/ft/s) |
2,081 | 11,800 | |
| Niagara Tunnel Project | 2009 | 500 cm/s (17,657.2 c/ft/s) |
N/A | 1,600 |
| FUTURE TOTALS | 2,325 cm/s (82,106.2 c/ft/s) |
2,081 | 13,400 | |
The megawatt (symbol: MW) is a unit for measuring power equal to one
million (106) watts.
The gigawatt (symbol: GW) is a unit for measuring power equal to one
billion (109) watts.
ONTARIO POWER GENERATION - QUARTERLY REPORTS
NIAGARA TUNNEL PROJECT NOTES
click above
(click above)
To learn more about the Niagara Tunnel project visit following educational web sites:
Ontario Power Generation Niagara Tunnel Project
Strabag Company's Niagara Tunnel Project
| NIAGARA FALLS THUNDER ALLEY NAVIGATOR | ||
| SITE MAP | ||
THANK YOU FOR VISITING THE
ONTARIO POWER GENERATION
&
STRABAG INC.
NIAGARA TUNNEL
PROJECT
2005-2013
