Photo and Caption: N.Y. Power Authority Responding to Ice Conditions Along Upper Niagara River to Reduce Ice Jams Near Niagara Hydroelectric Plant Intakes

Contact:
Michael Saltzman
914-390-8181
Michael.Saltzman@nypa.gov

January 7, 2014

January 7, 2014: NYPA’s ice breaker Latham breaking ice downstream of NYPA intakes on Niagara River.

Photo Credit: NYPA

Lewiston - The New York Power Authority (NYPA) and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) ice breakers have been working since midnight this morning to break ice jams along the upper Niagara River. The Niagara River Control Center—part of OPG—issued a flood warning at 9:20 a.m. today. Ice conditions and water levels are being closely monitored.

NYPA is operating the Niagara Hydroelectric Power Plant in accordance with its ice condition procedures. The plant’s power generation operations have not been affected and NYPA is meeting its customers’ electric power requirements.

The NYPA and OPG ice breakers—the William H. Latham and the Niagara Queen II—will remain in the water as long as needed to flush ice over the falls and prevent ice build-up at the water intakes of the Niagara and the Sir Adam Beck hydroelectric plants.

NYPA is working closely with area emergency response organizations, local government and community leaders and has undertaken the necessary notifications in accordance with its federally approved flood-warning notification plan. It is also keeping local elected officials informed.

About NYPA
NYPA is the nation's largest state public power organization, through the operation of its 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. NYPA uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. More than 70 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. Follow @NYPAenergy on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, WordPress, YouTube, and LinkedIn.