New York power

Generates renewable electricity from the Seneca River, supporting New York communities and producing enough electricity for about 310 homes for a year.*

Air quality & health in Seneca County

Seneca County has a population of 32,349. Across five conditions the American Lung Association tracks — childhood asthma, adult asthma, COPD, lung cancer, and cardiovascular disease — it reports a combined 6,937 cases in the county.

No ozone or particle pollution grades are available for this county in the most recent report. The figures above describe how many residents live with conditions sensitive to air quality — not measured pollution levels.

Long-term exposure to air pollution has been linked to certain health conditions, particularly for children and older adults. Where electricity comes from affects how much combustion pollution is produced on the grid.

These figures describe the county as a whole and are not specific to this facility. Sources: American Lung Association – State of the Air (New York); U.S. EPA Air Quality Index.

The story behind this New York renewable energy facility

New York has 142 hydropower plants in this category, and the Waterloo Hydroelectric Project, on the Seneca River at 43 Washington St., ranks #135 of 142 by 2024 electricity produced. It began operating in 1915 and uses three generators, machines that turn the motion of flowing water into electricity.

In 2024 it produced 3,139 MWh, or 3.1 gigawatt-hours, enough to power about 310 homes. Its capacity is 1.5 MW, a megawatt being a measure of the most power it can deliver at one moment. Owned by C-S Canal Hydro, LLC, it uses conventional hydroelectric technology, meaning river water spins turbines without burning any fuel.

Environmental impact

Produces electricity without burning fuel, which avoids roughly 1,200 metric tons of carbon dioxide a year compared with producing the same electricity from the national mix of power sources — about the same as the carbon absorbed by about 1,300 acres of forest in a year.*

Nearby places worth exploring

Waterloo sits in Seneca County, between Cayuga and Seneca lakes. Nearby Seneca Falls is home to the Women’s Rights National Historical Park. At the county’s northern edge, the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge is a well-known spot for watching birds and wildlife.

Local school district

Waterloo Central School District

Common questions

* Homes-powered and emissions comparisons are annual estimates based on national averages from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. “Homes powered” describes a quantity of electricity, not direct service to specific households. How we calculate this.