Power Authority responding to ice conditions along upper Niagara River; works to reduce ice jams near Niagara hydroelectric plant intakes

The New York Power Authority and Ontario Power Generation 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. 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.