FINAL REPORT - International Joint Commission

ANNEX 2
Analysis
Analysis shows that hydropower is best served by regulation plans that tend to keep Lake Ontario levels
higher and tend to pass very stable flows with few occurrences of extremely high rates. Higher Lake
Ontario levels usually result in greater station head at Moses Saunders, which produces more electricity at
any given flow. Higher levels have the opposite effect at Moses-Beck—they reduce station head—but the
positive effect at Moses-Saunders is usually greater. Further, stable flows result in high scores for
predictability and minimal losses due to instability. Finally, a situation of fewer extremely high flows results
in more peaking opportunities, less spill (which does not produce electricity), and less risk of impact on
fish spawning at Long Sault.
Key Findings
• Hydropower benefits from high flows through turbines, minimal spillage and higher operating heads,
but also from predictable and stable flows. The more minimal the changes in releases from month to
month and from week to week, the better the plans will fare for hydro.
• Hydropower benefits are greatest when releases are similar to what would occur without regulation
(assuming regulation limits ice jams in winter and early spring). Natural releases create a higher
average head at Moses-Saunders, result in very little spillage and tend to be the most stable and
predictable.
Participants
Hydroelectric Power Technical Work Group
John Osinski, U.S. Lead
New York Power Authority, Massena, NY
Sylvain Robert, Cdn Lead
Hydro Quebec, Montreal, Quebec
John Ching
Ontario Power Generation, Toronto, Ontario
Cindy Lavean
New York Power Authority, Massena, NY
Brian Fenlon
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, NY
Board Liasion Ian Crawford Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough
PIAG Liaisons Paul Finnegan White Plains, NY
Marcel Lussier
Brossard, Quebec
Scott Tripoli
Manlius, NY
References
Effect of Operation of the International St. Lawrence Power Project on Shoreline Erosion below Moses-
Saunders Power Dam. Executive Summary, NYPA Relicensing Study.
Effects of Peaking and Ponding within the St. Lawrence Power Project Study Area. Executive Summary,
Study prepared for the International St. Lawrence River Board of Control ISLRBC.
Effects of Project Operations on Aquatic and Terrestrial Habitats and Biota Downstream of the
St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project. Executive Summary, NYPA Relicensing Study.
Effects of Project Operations on Aquatic and Terrestrial Habitats and Biota in Lake St. Lawrence.
Executive Summary, NYPA Relicensing Study.
Executive Summary, Assessment of Potential Effects of Peaking/Ponding Operations at the St. Lawrence
Power Project on Downstream Muskrat Populations. March 1983 joint NYPA and Ontario Hydro report.
Executive Summary, Assessment of Shoreline Erosion and Marshland Recession Downstream of the
St. Lawrence Power Project. March 1983 joint NYPA and Ontario Hydro report.
110 Options for Managing Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River Water Levels and Flows