NYPA Urges Caution Due to Open Long Sault Dam

MASSENA -- The New York Power Authority announced Monday, Feb. 25 that the gates at Long Sault Dam are open and releasing water in the St. Lawrence River.

This spill will result in rapidly changing river flows and potentially unsafe ice conditions downstream of the dam and along the South Channel of the river over the next several days.

Members of the public, including those ice fishing on the river or South Channel, should be alert to rapidly changing ice conditions and should stay off the ice, according to a news release from NYPA.

NYPA says people should:

• Use caution on the river.

• Keep back a minimum of 800 ft. from the Long Sault Dam spillway and Robert Moses Power Dam, both on the upstream and downstream side.

• Be aware of changing river conditions and strong currents.

• Stay off the ice in the South Channel.

“The release of water at Long Sault Dam will assist in maintaining the International Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River Board’s (ILOSLRB) planned river flow while several turbine generators are out of service for maintenance at the Moses Saunders Power Dam,” NYPA said.

The spilling will not increase the overall planned river flow.

Outflows from Lake Ontario are established on a weekly basis by the International Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River Board (ILOSLRB). The Board, in conjunction with its staff, continues to monitor and reassess conditions on an ongoing basis.

Actual outflows will depend on conditions in the St. Lawrence River. Spilling activities could take place through the remainder of winter and through the spring, NYPA said.