The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1918-09-12

One of the greatest water develop
ment projects of the many centering
about Niagara Falls has been launched
on the Canadian side Of the river. 1t
eontemplates an immediate production
of 100000 electrical horse power, or
equal to approximately one-half the
present total development on both
sides of the river, and it may expand
to 100000 horse power.
Actual work on the new channel was
begun recently by the Ontario hydro
commission. There were no ceremO-
mics and the launching of the work
was virtually unknown to the general
public. The channel viii e%ncircle the
city of Niagara Falls, Ont, n running
from the Welland river, a tributary Of
the Niagara above the cataract, to the
|escarpment below Queenston heights.
The power house will be located on
the river level almost at the foot of
Brooks monument.
100000 Horse Power Planned.
The channel is the first one planned
TO get the full benefit of the difference
in level between Lakes Erie and On
tario, approximately 300 feet. The old
companies, with penstocks located
close to the foot of the cataract, get a
head of about 200 feet. The additional
100 feet head, it is estimated, will
make it possible to develop the 100000
horse power with the same flow of wa
ter required to develop 100000 horse
power at the falls.
While the units under construction
for the power house are planned to
produce only 100000 horse power, the
canal itself will be built to allow a
future flow of water capable of treb-
ling this volume.
The Ontario hydro-commission is q
provincial body, appointed by the On
tario government. 1t distributes power
TO Ontario municipalities within a ra-
dius of 200 miles Of the falls at low
cost. A large part of the current gen.
Grated on the Canadian side, formerly
exported and distributed by an Ameri-
can corporation, has been cut off. Ca
madam power for Canadian industries
has been the motto of Sir Adam Beck,
chairman of the commission, and war
conditions have brought a speedier ap-
plication of the policy than had been
expected.
Treaty Limits Water Diversion.
To replace the Canadian current
thus lost, a steam generating plant has
been built here with an ultimate capa-
city Of 100000 horse power. Steam
plants and water power plants far
down the state have been drawn upon
to keep Buffalo factories going. Part
of the current from the new hydro
plant viii 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 to $4,000 cubic feet a
second. The limit on the American
side is 10000 feet.
Canada already has authorized the
diversion of all but 5000 cubic feet of
her allotment. Under special war per-
mits the American companies are also
within a few hundred feet of their
limit.
The new channel viii carry off about
10000 cubic feet of water a second.
This will necessitate some readjust-
ment of the allowances to the other
Canadian companies unless the treaty
is modified. This has lead to sugges-
lions of consolidation Of all the Cana.
dian companies and the 100000 horse
power development.