Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Power Stations - Water Diversion

Water Diversion

The open cut Chippawa-Queenston Power Canal diverts water from the Welland River to the stations. Upstream of the International Control Dam are two tunnel inlets which run under Niagara Falls, Ontario and surface 2 km (1.2 mi) upstream of the Sir Adam Beck Generating Stations. The open cut canal and the tunnel canal cross at the "Cross Over" where there is a third channel feeding the 174 MW Pump Generating Station 43°08′40″N 79°03′36″W / 43.14444°N 79.06000°W / 43.14444; -79.06000 (Sir Adam Beck Pump Generating Station) which pumps water up into the man-made reservoir at night and generates electricity during the day, feeding the water back to the Sir Adam Beck Generating Complex.

The International Control Dam, operated by Ontario Power Generation, controls the water diversions from the Niagara River and dispatches the water between the New York Power Authority and Ontario Power Generation in accordance with the terms of the 1950 Niagara Treaty.

This treaty, designed to ensure an "unbroken curtain of water" is flowing over the falls, states that during daylight time during the tourist season (April 1 to October 31) there must be 100,000 cubic feet per second (2,800 m3/s) of water flowing over the falls, and during the night and off-tourist season there must be 50,000 cubic feet per second (1,400 m3/s) of water flowing over the falls. This Treaty is monitored by the International Niagara Control Board.