>From here: https://www.niagaraparks.com/visit-niagara-parks/plan-your-visit/niagara-falls-geology-facts-figures/
How much water is diverted? The Great Lakes in general are very sensitive to high-or-low precipitation years, and this can affect the flow from Lake Erie into the Niagara River, however the levels have been regulated by the International Joint Commission (USA and Canada) since 1910. The basis for determining the amount of water that can be diverted for power generation is contained in a treaty between the Governments of Canada and the United States concerning the “Diversion of the Niagara River,” dated 1950, and generally referred to as the “1950 Niagara Treaty.” The treaty requires that during the daylight hours of the tourist season (0800 to 2200 hours local time, April 1st to September 15th and 0800 to 2000 hours local time September 16th to October 31st), the flow over Niagara Falls must not be less than 2,832 cubic metres per second (cubic m/s) [100,000 cubic ft. per second (cfs)]. At all other times, the flow must not be less than 1,416 cu m/s (50,000 cfs). The treaty also specifies that all water in excess of that required for domestic and sanitary purposes, navigation and the falls flow may be diverted for power generation. If the river was allowed to return to natural levels, it would rise probably another 5 metres, however, the recession of the falls would increase as a result. More info here: http://www.niagarafrontier.com/faq.html#how Ken H. On Mon, 25 Nov 2019 at 10:58, Matthew L. Wolford via CnC-List < cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: > It doesn’t. > > Niagara Falls and the Welland Canal are the two main “exits” from Lake > Erie. As I understand it, much of the flow going down the Niagara River is > diverted for hydraulic power, and presumably there is more flow now going > over the falls due to the high lake level. Obviously, it’s not draining > fast enough. The Welland is used for commercial freighter traffic and is > consequently well-controlled with locks. It would likely be too disruptive > to try to use the Welland as a drain. I believe the Erie Canal is largely > defunct and was also controlled with locks. Even if you could direct water > through what’s left of that system, it would likely be overwhelmed before > having much impact on the lake level. > > *From:* Joe Della Barba via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > *Sent:* Monday, November 25, 2019 8:55 AM > *To:* cnc-list@cnc-list.com > *Cc:* Joe Della Barba <j...@dellabarba.com> > *Subject:* Re: Stus-List Fwd: Great Lakes water levels...for C&Cs > > > Next dumb question - assuming someone decides to lower Lake Ontario a bit, > how well does that lower the other lakes, if at all? > > It seems like too much flow could flood Montreal. Last time I was in > Montreal the current headed east was pretty strong anyway, so I assume this > really could effect slow boats headed upstream. > > Joe > > Coquina > On 11/25/2019 7:53 AM, Mike Taylor via CnC-List wrote: > >
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