Canadian utility Ontario Hydro will be soliciting bids soon for construction of an additional 10.5km-long tunnel to provide more water to the existing Sir Adam Beck hydroelectric generating facilities near Queenston. This tunnel will increase power production by about 12%.

Subject to the provincial government’s approval of the environmental assessment, which Ontario Hydro has already completed, the new tunnel should be operational by 2002. The proposed structure will convey water from the river upstream of Niagara Falls.

The hydro potential of Niagara is shared by Canada and the US, according to the Niagara Diversion treaty, agreed in 1950.