The massive dam across the St. Lawrence River on Barnhart Island in Massena, NY, was NYPA’s first active power plant, opening in 1958. More than half a mile long, the dam and related structures are a cooperative project between the U.S. and Canada: each country operates half of the plant’s 32 turbines. NYPA’s 16 generating units produce 820,800 kilowatts of electricity, more than enough to light a city the size of Washington, DC. The project also includes two control dams upstream, the Iroquois and Long Sault dams. Altogether it spans 37 miles, allowing for a vast stretch of state parks and recreational opportunities.
The Balance of Water and Power
Honoring Our 60th Anniversary!
Massena, NY