Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-07-31
NIAGARA To YIELD
MILLION H.P. MORE
Canadians Launch Great Water
Power Development; Distrib-
utes Current Through
Dominion.

Buffalo, n Y, July 3f-One OF the
greatest water development projects oil the
many centering about Niagara Fails has
been launched on the Canadian side of the
river II contemplates an immediate
production Of 900 electrical horse
power, or equal to approximately one. hall
the present total development on both
sides Of the river, and 1t may expand too
900. 900 horse power
Actual work on the new channel was
begun recently by the Ontario Hydro
Commission There were no ceremonies
md the launching OF the work was virtual
" unknown to the general public he
channel will cncirclc tire city of Niagara
Falls. Ont one running from the Welland
river. a tributary of the Nagara above the
cataract, To the cacarpment below tlucefls~
ton heights The power houae will he
located on tho riyer level almost NJ the
foot Of Brock $ monument
The channel il the first one planned ~
get tho full benefit Of thc difference N
level between Lakes Erie and Ontario,
approximately 300 feet The old com
paniea. with pensiocks located close 10 the
foot of the cataract get head ri about
200 feet. The additional i00feet head. II Is
estimated, will mako II possible 10 develop
the 300 900 horsepower with thc same now
Of water required 10 develop 100000
horsepower At tho falls
While, the units under construction for
the power houee nte planned 70 produce
only 300. .O00 horsepower, the canal itseli
will be built to allow a future flow Of water
capable of trehing this volume
Tho Ontario IIydro-G commission lgsa
Provincial body, appointed bg tho Tn
tario government. II distributes power -
Ontario municipalities within q radluE of
200 miles of the Fails at low cost
large part of tho current generated on the
Canadian side, formerly exported and
distributed by m American corporation,
has hecn cut of Canadian power for
Canadian Industries has boen the motto
of SIR Adam Beck, chairman of the com
mission, aud war conditions have brought
= ep,e,tler application Of the policy than
had been expected.
To replace tho Canadian current thus
lost. n steam generating plant has been
b,ult with here nm ultimate capacity for
10000 Horsepower Steam plants and
water power plants far down tho state
have hCcn drawn upon To keep Buffalo
factories going Part Of the current from
tho now hydro plant will be available for
American industries, but only those
engaged in war work, Sir Adam has
announced.
Under the treaty between Canada,
Great Britain and the United States the
diversion of water on the Canadian side
Is limited 10 $4,000 cubic feet n second
The limit on the American side IS 20,000
feet.
Canada already has authorized the
diversion Of all but 5000 cubic feet
OF her allotment. Under special war per
mi:s the American companies are also
within n few hundred feet of their limit
The new channel will carry of about
10000 cubic feet OF water a second. This
will necessltatc some readjustnent of the
allowances to the other Canadian com
panics unless the treaty Is modified. This
has lead to suggestions OF consolidation
of all the Canadian companies and the
900 900 horsepower development