THE INTERNATIONAL SHARING OF NIAGARA RIVER HYDROELECTRIC POWER DIVERSIONS

Abstract

An important international Niagara River management issue is the sharing of water diverted from the falls for hydroelectric power production between Canada and the United States. Power diversions were originally divided between the two nations by Article V of the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty. The 1950 Niagara Treaty established the flow sharing arrangement which is presently in force. The purpose of this paper is to examine the power diversions available to Canada and the United States under each Treaty. It concludes that a larger share of diversions from the Niagara River has been available to the United States than has been available to Canada since 1909. The American advantage under the 1909 Treaty is attributable to the Chicago Diversion and to power exports by American generating stations in Canada. Canada accepted less than an equal share of diversions from the Niagara River in exchange for American agreement to other 1909 Treaty provisions. The United States advantage under the 1950 Niagara Treaty i...