This system uses the changing water level in Lake Ontario to turn one or two turbines to generate electricity. This system is only viable because the canal is between the lake and a large harbour (over 16 million square meters in surface area). Obviously as the lake level rises and falls so does the level in the harbour. For every inch the lake level rises or falls approx. 430,000 cubic meters of water flows through the canal. By damming the canal when not passing traffic (water vessels which is about 5% of daily time. Obviously as the water passes through the turbines they generate electricity and they do so regardless of which way the water flows. The simple diagram shows the basics of a canal with water inlet/outlet ports on either side of the swing gate which is opened to let boat traffic through.