Niagara Treaty
The Niagara Treaty, signed in 1950 by the United States and Canada, aimed to balance the need for hydroelectric power generation with the preservation of the natural beauty of Niagara Falls. This treaty emerged in response to a significant power shortfall in the northeastern U.S. and the limitations of the earlier 1909 International Boundary Waters Treaty, which largely focused on water conservation for scenic purposes. Under the 1950 agreement, both nations committed to maintaining a minimum water flow for the falls while allowing the remainder to be utilized for electricity generation. Specifically, Article 5 stipulated that any water not reserved for aesthetic reasons would be directed towards hydroelectric production, with an equitable division of resources between the two countries.
While the treaty successfully increased electric output and helped keep power costs low for consumers, it faced criticism for significantly reducing the natural volume of the Niagara River, reportedly by 75%. Critics argued that this reduction compromised the natural splendor of Niagara Falls. The Niagara Treaty thus represents a complex interplay between energy needs and environmental conservation, reflecting diverse perspectives on resource management and ecological preservation.
Niagara Treaty
Identification Treaty between the United States and Canada delineating water usage of the Niagara River
Date Signed into law on February 27, 1950
The Niagara Treaty provided for an increase in the output of the Niagara River to provide consumers with cheaper electricity and also helped to maintain the scenic beauty of Niagara Falls.
In 1909, the United States and Canada signed the International Boundary Waters Treaty Act. It created the International Joint Commission (IJC) to determine all matters involving the use, obstruction, and diversion of the Niagara River. After forty years, however, the terms of the 1909 treaty no longer dealt effectively with the matter of how much water each country could use for the purposes of generating electricity.
The purpose of the Niagara Treaty of 1950 was to increase water output while at the same time preserving the natural beauty of Niagara Falls. At the time, the U.S. State Department acknowledged a dire situation in the northeastern section of the United States, which was facing a serious power shortfall. Previous agreements centered mainly on preserving water for Niagara Falls, but the 1950 treaty allowed the United States and Canada to provide a minimum water output level for Niagara Falls while diverting the rest of the water to meet the demand for affordable electricity. Article 5 of the treaty stated that any water not expressly reserved for scenic reasons would be used to generate electric power. According to the terms of the pact, Canada and the United States agreed that the water made available for purposes of hydroelectric power generation were to be divided equally between Canada and the United States.
Impact
Critics claimed that the treaty decreased 75 percent of the Niagara River’s natural volume, and therefore stripped Niagara Falls of its natural splendor. However, the Niagara Treaty increased electric output and kept electric power costs low for consumers.
Bibliography
Jackson, John N. The Mighty Niagara. Amherst: Prometheus Books, 2003. An excellent history of the Niagara River and Niagara Falls.
Preservation and Enhancement of the American Falls at Niagara. Ottawa: International Joint Commission, 1975. A summary of the key aspects of the treaty can be found in this report.