What are the economic effects in Ontario of changes in water levels and supply?
Lower water levels and water supplies can have serious economic consequences for Ontario : • Lower water levels can affect the capacity of hydroelectric generation. In the Great Lakes record low levels in the 1960s caused losses of hydroelectric power between 19 and 26 per cent on the Niagara and St. Lawrence Rivers; • Reduced ice levels in the Great Lakes could extend the shipping season. However, extremely low lake levels would limit the cargo capacity of vessels and increase operating costs of harbours and shipping channels because of the need for more dredging; • With the loss of important sports fish species, the sports fishery would be damaged; • Shoreline based infrastructure could be negatively affected by lower lake levels. Some docking facilities could become inaccessible.
Lower water levels and water supplies can have serious economic consequences for Ontario : • Lower water levels can affect the capacity of hydroelectric generation. In the Great Lakes record low levels in the 1960s caused losses of hydroelectric power between 19 and 26 per cent on the Niagara and St. Lawrence Rivers. • Reduced ice levels in the Great Lakes could extend the shipping season. However, extremely low lake levels would limit the cargo capacity of vessels and increase operating costs of harbours and shipping channels because of the need for more dredging. • With the loss of important sports fish species, the sports fishery would be damaged. • Shoreline based infrastructure could be negatively affected by lower lake levels. Some docking facilities could become inaccessible. Municipalities would have to consider moving water intakes and sewage disposal outlets further out into the lakes in order to protect drinking water quality. • Crops that have historically been grown in the
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- What are the economic effects in Ontario of changes in water levels and supply?
