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Robert Moses Hydro-Electric Dam

Robert Moses Niagara Hydroelectric Power Station
View of dam, looking northeast
Country United States
Location Lewiston, New York
Coordinates 43°08′35″N 79°02′23″W / 43.14306°N 79.03972°W / 43.14306; -79.03972Coordinates: 43°08′35″N 79°02′23″W / 43.14306°N 79.03972°W / 43.14306; -79.03972
Purpose Power
Status Operational
Construction began 1957
Opening date 1961
Construction cost US$800 million (1957)
Owner(s) New York Power Authority
Dam and spillways
Type of dam Gravity dam
Impounds Niagara River
Reservoir
Creates Moses Niagara Power Plant forebay
Total capacity 740,000,000 US gal (2.8×109 l; 620,000,000 imp gal)
Power station
Commission date 1961
Type Conventional
Turbines 13
Installed capacity 2,525 MW (3,386,000 hp)
Website
http://www.nypa.gov/facilities/niagara.htm
Works in conjunction with the Lewiston Pump-Generating Plant
Lewiston Pump-Generating Plant
Country United States
Location Lewiston, New York
Purpose Power
Status Operational
Construction began 1957
Opening date 1961
Owner(s) New York Power Authority
Dam and spillways
Type of dam Gravity dam
Impounds Moses Niagara Power Plant forebay
Reservoir
Creates Lewiston Reservoir
Total capacity 22,000,000,000 US gal (8.3×1010 l; 1.8×1010 imp gal)
Surface area 1,900 acres (770 ha)
Power station
Coordinates 43°08′35″N 79°01′18.4″W / 43.14306°N 79.021778°W / 43.14306; -79.021778
Commission date 1961
Type Pumped-storage
Turbines 12
Website
http://www.nypa.gov/facilities/niagara.htm
Works in conjunction with the Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant

The Robert Moses Niagara Hydroelectric Power Station is a hydroelectric power station in Lewiston, New York, near Niagara Falls. Owned and operated by the New York Power Authority (NYPA), the plant diverts water from the Niagara River above Niagara Falls and returns the water into the lower portion of the river near Lake Ontario. It uses 13 generators at an installed capacity of 2,525 megawatts (3,386,000 hp).

Named for New York city planner Robert Moses, the plant was built to replace power production after a nearby hydroelectric plant collapsed in 1956. It stands across the river from Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Power Stations in Ontario, Canada.

The land that the Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant occupies has a long history of use. In 1805, Augustus and Peter Porter of Buffalo, New York, purchased the American Falls from New York in a public auction, and later acquired the rights to the eastern rapids above the falls as well, but died before they could bring their vision of a canal and power plant to reality. Several other companies later attempted similar projects without success.

In 1853, the Niagara Falls Hydraulic Power and Manufacturing Company was chartered; in 1861, it completed a 35-foot (11 m) wide and 8-foot (2.4 m) deep canal. The powerhouse finally opened in 1874, but produced little electricity even by the standards of the day.

In 1877, Jacob F. Schoellkopf purchased the canal, along with the water and power rights, for $71,000. He improved the canal and put the powerhouse to commercial use. In 1881, his company completed Schoellkopf Power Station No. 1; it would operate until 1904. In 1891, Schoellkopf Power Station No. 2 opened directly in front of the original, in the gorge below the falls, with a higher 210-foot (64 m) drop. In 1904, the company built Schoellkopf Stations No. 3A and 3B.


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