Controlling Niagara Falls
On a whim this week, I came across an article that was talking about how many people have gone over the falls and how the ones who survived (not many) survived.
I did a little research and came across some very interesting information about the Falls of which I was not previously aware.
Did you know that the amount of water going over the Falls is controlled by a joint agreement of the U.S. and Canadian governments?
Yup.
There's plenty of stuff out there to read, but this is a good summary:
The International Control Dam, also known as the International Control Structure, operated by Ontario Power Generation, is a weir that 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. It was completed in 1954.
To preserve Niagara Falls' natural beauty and to ensure an "unbroken curtain of water" is flowing over the falls, the 1950 treaty was signed by the U.S. and Canada to limit water usage by power plants.
The treaty allows higher summertime diversion at night when tourists are fewer and during the winter months when there are even fewer tourists.[1] The treaty 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 Board of Control, using a NOAA gauging station above the falls.
A trade off exists between the two main industries of Tourism and Hydroelectric Power. More water is diverted by the International Control Dam at night, between 10:00 pm and 7:00 am, filling the reservoirs over night, and allowing more water over Niagara Falls in the day-time hours for the tourists. As well, during the winter, from Nov. 1 to March 31, when it is not the tourism season, more water is diverted for electrical power during the whole 24 hour period.
(Wikipedia)
Very specific details! I had no idea those were in place. An actual 50% reduction of flow at some points. WOW
Grace & Peace & Love to you all -
Matt
p.s. side note: ever wonder what "Niagara" means?
It is believed that Niagara is a derivative of the Iroquoian word, “Onguiaahra”, which was anglicized by missionaries. The name appears on maps as early as 1641. The generally accepted meaning is, “The Strait”. Some think it was derived from the narrow waterway that flows north from Lakes Erie to Lake Ontario. Early maps do not refer to the Niagara River but the Niagara Strait, which is more correct.
Others believe the word Niagara is taken from another native word meaning, “Thundering Waters”.
Another theory of the name's origin suggests Niagara is derived from the name given to a local group of Aboriginals, called the Niagagarega people.
