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Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Generating Stations

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43°04′20.1″N 79°03′31.0″W  /  43.072250°N 79.058611°W  / 43.072250; -79.058611

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51-581: Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Generating Stations are two hydroelectric generating stations in Niagara Falls, Ontario , Canada. Sir Adam Beck Generating Station I , Sir Adam Beck Generating Station II and the Sir Adam Beck Pump Generating Station are all owned by Ontario Power Generation . Following the development of several smaller generating stations around Niagara Falls in the late 19th and early 20th centuries,

102-477: A honeymoon destination, describing itself as the "honeymoon capital of the world". Its counterpart in New York also used the moniker. The phrase was most commonly used in brochures in the early twentieth century and declined in usage around the 1960s. With a plentiful and inexpensive source of hydroelectric power from the waterfalls, many electro-chemical and electro-metallurgical industries located there in

153-518: A Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) fee, a percentage of which goes to the city. Fees that are present elsewhere only benefit the owners of the business itself, leading to these fees being criticized as deceptive. Some tourists have effectively fought the additional charge, while other businesses have enforced it as mandatory. In the 20th century, there was a favourable exchange rate when comparing Canadian and U.S. currencies. Niagara Falls, New York , struggles to compete against Niagara Falls, Ontario;

204-1039: A change of 6.8% from its 2016 population of 406,074 . With a land area of 1,397.09 km (539.42 sq mi), it had a population density of 310.4/km (803.8/sq mi) in 2021. As of the 2021 Census, 20.9% of the city's population were visible minorities, 3.5% had Indigenous ancestry, and the remaining 75.6% were White. The largest visible minority groups were South Asian (6.3%), Black (3.1%), Filipino (3.0%), Chinese (2.4%), Latin American (1.6%) and Arab (1.1%). 60.1% of Niagara Falls city residents self-identified with Christian denominations in 2021, down from 74.1% in 2011. 33.2% of residents were Catholic , 13.9% were Protestant , 7.1% were Christians of unspecified denomination, and 2.4% were Christian Orthodox . All other Christian denominations/Christian related traditions made up 3.5%. 30.9% of residents were irreligious or secular, up from 22.5% in 2011. Overall, followers of non-Christian religions/spiritual traditions were 9.0% of

255-519: A part of the Butler's Rangers , including Richard Pierpoint . When they were disbanded in 1783, they tried to establish themselves through farming nearby, making them among the first Black settlers in the region. It is estimated that nearly 10 percent of the Loyalists to settle in the area were Black Loyalists . Niagara Falls' Black population increased in the following decades, as a destination on

306-476: A part of the St. Catharines - Niagara Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) . Tourism is a major part of the city's economy: its skyline consists of multiple high-rise hotels and observation towers that overlook the waterfalls and adjacent parkland. Souvenir shops, arcades, museums, amusement rides, indoor water parks, casinos, theatres and a convention centre are located nearby in the city's large tourist area. Other parts of

357-557: A pilot project providing weekend and holiday train service from Toronto to Niagara falls from mid June to mid October. These GO Trains run seasonally between Toronto Union Station and Niagara Falls at weekends. At other times, regular hourly GO train services are provided between Toronto Union and Burlington station, where connecting bus services operate to and from the rail station at Niagara. As of January 2019, GO Transit offers two-way, weekday commuter service from Niagara Falls station (Ontario) to Union Station (Toronto) as part of

408-515: A population of 94,415 living in 37,793 of its 39,778 total private dwellings, a change of 7.2% from its 2016 population of 88,071 . With a land area of 210.25 km (81.18 sq mi), it had a population density of 449.1/km (1,163.1/sq mi) in 2021. At the census metropolitan area (CMA) level in the 2021 census, the St. Catharines - Niagara CMA had a population of 433,604 living in 179,224 of its 190,878 total private dwellings,

459-399: Is 154 centimetres (61 in), in which it can receive lake effect snow from both lakes Erie and Ontario. Summers are warm to hot and humid, with a July high of 27.4 °C (81.3 °F) and a low of 17 °C (62.6 °F). The average annual precipitation is 970.2 millimetres (38 in), which is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year. Niagara Falls holds the record for

510-745: Is a city in Ontario , Canada, adjacent to, and named after, Niagara Falls . As of the 2021 census , the city had a population of 94,415. The city is located on the Niagara Peninsula along the western bank of the Niagara River , which forms part of the Canada–United States border , with the other side being the twin city of Niagara Falls, New York . Niagara Falls is within the Regional Municipality of Niagara and

561-597: Is an inactive railway bridge; it is closed off by the Canadian Pacific Railways to prevent trespassing but can be accessed by NRPS or CBSA/CBP if required. Niagara Falls is linked to major highways in Canada. The Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW), stretching from Fort Erie to Toronto , passes through Niagara Falls. Highway 420 (along with Niagara Regional Road 420) connect the Rainbow Bridge to

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612-499: Is diverted by the International Control Dam at night, between 10:00 pm and 7:00 am, filling the reservoirs overnight and allowing more water over Niagara Falls in the daytime hours for the tourists. As well, during the winter, from November 1 to March 31, when it is not the tourism season, more water is diverted for electrical power during the whole 24 hour period. The pool of water located immediately upstream of

663-535: Is flowing over the falls, states that during daylight time during the tourist season (1 April to 31 October) there must be 2,832 m/s (100,000 cu ft/s) of water flowing over the falls, and during the night and off-tourist season there must be 1,416 m/s (50,000 cu ft/s) of water flowing over the falls. This treaty is monitored by the International Niagara Board of Control. Niagara Falls, Ontario Niagara Falls

714-564: Is monitored by the International Niagara Board of Control, part of the International Joint Commission , using a NOAA gauging station above the falls. This weir allows water from the upper river to be diverted into the intakes for the American and Canadian power stations. Two tunnels on the American side take water under the city of Niagara Falls, New York , and three tunnels on the Canadian side divert water under

765-401: Is only honoured by Dorchester Road and the community of Dorchester Village). The earliest settlers of Township Number 2 were Philip George Bender (namesake of Bender Street and Bender Hill near Casino Niagara originally from Germany and later New Jersey and Philadelphia ) and Thomas McMicken (a Scottish-born British Army veteran). Increased settlement in this area took place during and after

816-668: Is part of the Toronto television market, even though it is directly across the Niagara River from its American twin city, which is part of the Buffalo market. International Control Dam 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

867-669: Is served by two main local newspapers, three radio stations and a community television channel. All other media is regionally based, as well, from Hamilton and Toronto. Local newspapers are: Due to its proximity to Hamilton and Toronto, local residents have access to the papers like The Hamilton Spectator , the Toronto Star , and the Toronto Sun . The area is otherwise served by stations from Toronto , Hamilton and Buffalo . Television stations from Toronto and Buffalo are also widely available. Officially, Niagara Falls

918-740: The American Revolutionary War , when the British Crown made land grants to Loyalists to help them resettle in Upper Canada and provide some compensation for their losses after the United States became independent. Loyalist Robert Land received 200 acres (81 ha) and was one of the first people of European descent to settle in the Niagara Region. He moved to nearby Hamilton three years later due to

969-532: The Niagara Gorge on the Niagara River , which flows from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario . The city of Niagara Falls has a humid continental climate ( Köppen Dfa ) which is moderated to an extent in all seasons by proximity to bodies of water. Winters are cold, with a January high of −0.4 °C (31.3 °F) and a low of −7.8 °C (18.0 °F). However, temperatures above 0 °C (32.0 °F) are common during winter. The average annual snowfall

1020-578: The Niagara Tunnel Project in order to improve its generation output. Water delivered by the major new tunnel complemented other upgrades to the Sir Adam Beck generating complex, resulting in a significant increase to the efficient use of the Niagara River 's hydro power. The project's new 12.7-metre (42 ft) diameter, 10.2 km (6.3 mi) long tunnel was officially placed into service on 21 March 2013, helping to increase

1071-705: The Queen Elizabeth Way ) are patrolled by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the rest by Niagara Regional Police (NRPS) for city streets and general policing or Niagara Parks Police (NPP) on property relating to Niagara Parks Commission . Policing on the Canadian side of bridges (Whirlpool and Rainbow Bridges) are conducted by both Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations, but may involve Niagara Regional Police and/or OPP, as well as US agencies. Michigan Central Railway Bridge

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1122-536: The Underground Railroad . In 1856, a British Methodist Episcopal (BME) Church was established for African-Canadian worshipers. The BME Church, Nathaniel Dett Memorial Chapel is now a National Historic Site , remaining in operation into the 21st century. Composer, organist, pianist and music professor Nathaniel Dett was born in Niagara Falls in 1882. In 1886, Burr Plato became one of

1173-545: The Canadian and US currencies moved closer to parity in the 2000s, Niagara Falls, Ontario continued to be a popular destination for Americans, while Niagara Falls, New York, experienced a prolonged economic downturn. Ontario's legal drinking age is 19, which attracts potential alcohol consumers from across the border, as the American drinking age is 21. Some cultural areas of Niagara Falls include Queen Street, Main and Ferry Streets, Stamford Centre and Chippawa Square. Community centres that are host to cultural activities include

1224-414: The Canadian side has a greater average annual income, a higher average home price, and lower levels of vacant buildings and blight, as well as a more vibrant economy and better tourism infrastructure. The population of Niagara Falls, New York fell by half from the 1960s to 2012. In contrast, the population of Niagara Falls, Ontario more than tripled. The Ontario government introduced legal gambling to

1275-490: The City of Niagara Falls Museums, Niagara Falls Public Libraries, Coronation 50 Plus Recreation Centre, Club Italia and Scotia Bank Convention Centre. Notable attractions in Niagara Falls include: Niagara Falls City Council consists of eight councillors and a mayor. City elections take place every four years with the most recent election held on 24 October 2022 . Council is responsible for policy and decision making, monitoring

1326-722: The Niagara GO Expansion. The full expansion project is expected to be complete by 2025. The City of Niagara Falls is working toward Bike Friendly designation and providing more resources to encourage active transportation. Niagara Falls has one post-secondary institution in the city and another in the Niagara Region. Niagara is served by the District School Board of Niagara and the Niagara Catholic District School Board which operate elementary and secondary schools in

1377-614: The Province of Ontario authorized the construction of the first major publicly owned generating station in the province. At the time it was built, it was the largest hydroelectric generating station in the world. The stations divert water from the Niagara and Welland rivers above Niagara Falls which is then released into the lower portion of the Niagara River, and together produce up to 1,962 MW (2,631,000 hp). Adam Beck I contains 10 generators and first produced power in 1922. It

1428-586: The QEW. The Niagara Parkway is a road operated under the Niagara Parks Commission which connects Niagara-on-the-Lake to Fort Erie via Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls formerly had King's Highways passing through the city. These included: Via Rail Canada and Amtrak jointly provide service to the Niagara Falls station via their Maple Leaf service between Toronto Union Station and New York Penn Station . In summer 2009, Go Transit started

1479-702: The Sir Adam Beck Generating Stations. All three tunnel intakes are upstream of the Control Dam, however one of the three tunnels is unseen, under the water, located directly in front of the Control Dam, Control Tower. The open cut canal and the tunnel canal cross at the "Cross Over" where there is a third channel feeding the 174 MW pump generating station 43°08′40″N 79°03′36″W  /  43.14444°N 79.06000°W  / 43.14444; -79.06000  ( Sir Adam Beck Pump Generating Station ) which pumps water up into

1530-678: The Sir Adam Beck Station No. II. The faulty relay later tripped open causing a major blackout created by a series of cascading failures which affected over 30 million people for up to 12 hours. The open cut Chippawa-Queenston Power Canal diverts water from the Welland River to the stations. Upstream of the International Control Dam there are three tunnel intakes which run under Niagara Falls, Ontario, and surface 2 km (1.2 mi) upstream of

1581-491: The bill they take. The collected money is untraceable and there are no controls over how each establishment spends it. The Ontario government—concerned tourists could be misled into believing the fees were endorsed by the government—warned hotels and restaurants in 2008 not to claim the fee if it was not being remitted to a legitimate non-profit agency that promotes tourism. The practise continues and takes in an estimated $ 15 million per-year. Hotels specifically charge

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1632-596: The city include historic sites from the War of 1812 , parks, golf courses, commercial spaces, and residential neighbourhoods. Prior to European arrival, present day Niagara Falls was populated by Iroquoian -speaking Neutral people but, after attacks from the Haudenosaunee and Seneca , the Neutral people population was severely reduced. The Haudenosaunee people remained in the area until Europeans made first contact in

1683-724: The city is encouraging redevelopment of this area as an arts and culture district. The downtown was a major centre for local commerce and night life up until the 1970s, when the Niagara Square Shopping Centre began to draw away crowds and retailers. Since 2006, Historic Niagara has brought art galleries, boutiques, cafés and bistros to the street. Attractions include renovation of the Seneca Theatre. In 2004, several tourist establishments in Niagara Falls began adding additional fees to bills. These fees have various different names and range in what percentage of

1734-623: The city of Niagara Falls, Ontario . Once past these cities, the water flows into two canals and then into two large reservoirs. Behind the Canadian Sir Adam Beck Power Station is a reservoir covering 300 hectares (740 acres) and a similar reservoir on the US side behind the Robert Moses Power Plant . A trade-off exists between the two main industries of tourism and hydroelectric power. More water

1785-481: The early to mid-20th century. Industry began moving out of the city in the 1970s and 80s because of economic recession and increasing global competition in the manufacturing sector. Tourism increasingly became the city's most important revenue source. Recent development has been mostly centred on the Clifton Hill and Fallsview areas. The Niagara Falls downtown (Queen Street) is undergoing a major revitalization;

1836-426: The first African Canadians to be elected to political office, holding the position of City Councillor of Niagara Falls until 1901. Niagara Falls is approximately 130 km (81 mi) by road from Ontario's capital of Toronto , which is across Lake Ontario to the north. The area of the Niagara Region is approximately 1,800 km (690 sq mi). The city is built along the Niagara Falls waterfalls and

1887-492: The generating complex's nameplate capacity by 150 MW, able to provide the power for about 160,000 homes. A CAD 60 million refurbishment of the Pump Generating Station reservoir, built in 1957, was started in 2016. The major 1965 Northeast Blackout of Ontario and several U.S. states occurred on 9 November, after maintenance personnel incorrectly set a protective relay on one of the transmission lines from

1938-471: The highest temperature recorded in Canada in January, when it reached 22.2 °C (72 °F) on January 26, 1950. Although more historical and cultural diversity exists, Niagara Falls has 11 communities and 67 neighbourhoods defined by Planning Neighbourhoods and Communities for the City of Niagara Falls. (>2000 population) In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada , Niagara Falls had

1989-666: The late 17th century. The Niagara Falls area had some European settlement in the 17th century. Louis Hennepin , a French priest and missionary , is considered to be the first European to visit the area in the 1670s. French colonists settled mostly in Lower Canada, beginning near the Atlantic, and in Quebec and Montreal. After surveys were completed in 1782 the area was referred to as Township Number 2 as well as Mount Dorchester after Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester (and today

2040-472: The local economy in the mid-1990s. Casino Niagara precipitated an economic boom in the late 1990s as numerous luxury hotels and tourist attractions were built, and a second casino, Niagara Fallsview , opened in 2004. Both attracted American tourists due in part to the comparatively less expensive Canadian dollar, and despite the opening of the Seneca Niagara Casino on the American side. When

2091-643: The man-made reservoir at night and generates electricity during the day, feeding the water back to the Sir Adam Beck Generating Complex. The International Control Dam, operated by Ontario Power Generation , 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 . This treaty, designed to ensure an "unbroken curtain of water"

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2142-636: The operation and performance of the city, analysing and approving budgets and determining spending priorities. Due to regulations put forward by the Municipal Elections Act 1996, elections are held on the fourth Monday in October except for religious holidays or if a member of council or if the mayor resigns. Jim Diodati has been the mayor of Niagara Falls since 2010. As of 2023, the city's fire and emergency services are staffed by 130 firefighters and 104 volunteers. Provincial roads (namely

2193-495: The population. The largest of these were Islam (4.1%), Hinduism (2.0%), Sikhism (1.4%) and Buddhism (0.8%) Tourism started in the early 19th century and has been a vital part of the local economy since that time. The falls became known as a natural wonder, in part to their being featured in paintings by prominent American artists of the 19th century such as Albert Bierstadt . Such works were reproduced as lithographs, becoming widely distributed. Niagara Falls marketed itself as

2244-449: The region. There are also numerous private institutions offer alternatives to the traditional education systems. Niagara Falls is also served by Niagara Falls Public Library , a growing library system composed of four branches, with the main branch in the downtown area. It is visited by over 10,000 people weekly. An extensive online database of photographs and artwork is maintained at Historic Niagara Digital Collections. Niagara Falls

2295-596: The relentless noise of the falls. In 1791, John Graves Simcoe renamed the town as Stamford after Stamford, Lincolnshire in England but today Stamford is only used for an area northwest of downtown Niagara Falls as well as Stamford Street. During the war of 1812, the battle of Lundy's Lane took place nearby in July 1814. In 1856, the Town of Clifton was incorporated by Ogden Creighton after Clifton, Bristol . The name of

2346-521: The surrounding Stamford Township. In 1970, the Niagara regional government was formed. This resulted in the village of Chippawa , Willoughby Township, and part of Crowland Township being annexed into Niagara Falls. An internment camp for Germans was set up at The Armoury (now Niagara Military Museum) in Niagara Falls from December 1914 to August 1918. Niagara Falls has had a Black population since at least 1783. Up to 12 African-Americans were

2397-457: The town was changed to Niagara Falls in 1881. In 1882, the community of Drummondville (near the present-day corner of Lundy's Lane and Main Street) was incorporated as the village of Niagara Falls (South). The village was referred to as Niagara Falls South to differentiate it from the town. In 1904, the town and village amalgamated to form the City of Niagara Falls. In 1963, the city amalgamated with

2448-536: 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

2499-413: The winter months when there are even fewer tourists. The treaty states that during daylight time during the tourist season (April 1 to October 31), there must be 2,800 cubic metres per second (99,000 cu ft/s) of water flowing over the falls, and during the night and off-tourist season there must be 1,400 cubic metres per second (49,000 cu ft/s) of water flowing over the falls. This treaty

2550-411: Was first diverted from the Niagara River by two five-mile (8 km) tunnels under the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario, that start above the falls. A reservoir was created that permits the holding of water, diverted during the night, for use during the day. Between 2007 and 2013, Adam Beck II underwent major civil engineering projects with the addition of a major underground water supply tunnel built by

2601-654: Was originally called the Queenston-Chippawa Hydroelectric Plant and was renamed after Adam Beck in 1950 on the twenty-fifth anniversary of his death. The water is diverted through the Chippawa-Queenston Power Canal from the Welland River . As the first large-scale hydroelectric generation project in the world, Adam Beck I was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1990. Adam Beck II contains 16 generators and first produced power in 1954. The water

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