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From June to November 1969 the American Falls were dewatered. This action cut back the normal flow of 60,000 gallons a second to almost nothing. Most of the diverted water was either sent over the Horseshoe Falls or diverted to the Robert Moses generating plant's upriver intakes. The action enabled Canadian and US power companies and the US Army Corps of Engineers to do on-the-spot inspections and aerial photographs of the river bed's rock formation. This was all part of a plan to reduce erosion to the Falls.
Must have been an amazing sight to see. I've posted some pictures of the falls as they normally run just for comparison.
Barcroft Media via Fame Pictures
In 1969 the falls went quiet as the Niagara river was temporarily diverted. The dam can be seen in the upper right.
Barcroft Media via Fame Pictures
Niagara falls without water as seen in 1969.
Kike Calvo / AP file
The falls as they normally run, as seen in June, 2009. A natural phenomenon, Niagara Falls sees between four and six millions cubic feet of water go over its crest every minute. The Falls are 188 feet high, with the deepest section of the Niagara River just at their base-going down 170 feet.
Barcroft Media via Fame Pictures
While the water was diverted, large amounts of fallen rock could be seen at the base of the falls.
AP file
Thousands of tons of ice choke the Niagara River below Niagara Falls as the breakup from Lake Erie moves downriver on April 22, 1966. American Falls is on the left, Horseshoe Falls at top center in this view from prospect point on the American side of the river.
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I remember walking on the falls when they were shut down in 69'. I was 5 at the time, but remember it well.
I was 14 when they did this. The reason was not to remove the rocks to be establish a point of erosion decay. The Falls is slowly disappearing because of the erosion and the ACOE wanted to see at what point the Falls would hit the "fatal" mark. They also tried to reinforce the face somewhat. A friend and I scaled down the side and picked up some nifty souvenirs. Anyone hear about the "bowling ball size" collection of coins mashed between some rocks? The kid that designed the "coffer dam" which allowed the incredible fete to be accomplished supposedly won a scholarship to RIT. Anyone know if that's true?
Looks to me like a big waste of money.
I can't beleive the garbage that some of you say about one of the most magnificant sights on the face of the earth. Do you also trash talk the Grand Canyon ? I've been to both many times including the falls in 1969 when they managed to shut off the American side. With or without water flowing they are a truly awinspiring site that you never forget.
I was there in 1969 to see this! We lived in Pgh and my parents packed up the 5 kids and drove up to Niagara Falls to see this spectacular sight. We were there several times before - but we had to see it for this event. I was just an 11 yr old kid at the time, but I do remember it well. It was awesome. They were supposed to "clean up the rocks" while the falls were shut off, but of course couldn't do it.
My father worked on both the Niagara Power Project and the dam that diverted the water to shut the falls off. From what I remember him saying the penstocks that supply the reservoir are 21 feet in diameter and 7 miles long. I believe there are 7 penstocks. The engineering that went into both jobs is amazing. My father was a 7th grade dropout that was one of those men that could operate or repair any piece of equipment on a construction site. Seeing this brings back memories.
I was one of the geologists on the Niagara Falls Project and was thrilled to see the photos of the de-watered Falls! As a US Army Corps of Engineers geologist, I logged the rock core taken from one of the drill rigs, correlated the rock strata, and also contributed to the writing of the "Preservation and Enhancement of the Niagara Falls Study."
I was there for this! We lived there at the time. Watched them make the damn and shut the water off. Walked on the dry riverbed. Pried up a souvenir rock (a big no-no at the time) and it's now in my fish tank. Makes for an interesting conversation anyway. Was 12 year old, Dad worked at Bell Areospace in their heyday back then. Good memories but has time flown by or what!
I was there for this! Watched them make the dam. For a twelve year old it was extremely awesome. Specially the last load dumped and the water stopped flowing. They went from the island north. We lived there at the time. Walked on the dry riverbed (and pulled up a souvenir rock-a big no-no at the time). That rock is in my fish tank and makes for a great conversation. Like other have said, they had to leave the rocks at the bottom or it would ultimately become rapids. We all were disappointed thinking how our side would look like the Canadian side. Oh well. Time sure has flown by though since! Good memories anyway.
R.Auberger, why would you bring politics into this? You, are a loser.
The reason the American Side of the falls is not as luxurious is because NY State decided to preserve the Falls as oppossed to making it a TOURIST TRAP. I grew up 13 miles north of Niagara Falls on Lake Ontario. From a nature perspective take a true scenic walk on the American side and you will see nature abounds everywhere. As for the city of Niagara Falls it like many other small cities in the north east have seen incredible job losses beginning in the 1970's. Unfortunately with job loss in any geographic area housing values drop to reflect the median income in an area. For the many original immigrants who came to Niagara Falls and developed a great city they have since passed on and many homes are now low income houses and rentals. I have often said it would be incredible if a developer like Donald Trump came to Niagara Falls and helped to revitalize the city. Instead the city is being revitalized by the area's original inhabitants the American Indian for pure profit ventures, such as casinos with no local area land developtment. I have not lived in the area for 23 years however I come back several times to visit and my hope is the this one time great city could be returned to its once desired retreat.
pretty amazing to see the banks without the mighty waters surging thru and over the banks, amazing what strenth water really has, very interesting to see, whoever posted these photos, very bright, and hope he kept the photos for a book some day, enjoyed the photos,
You can see what looks to be a whale or sea monster in the black & white photo with man and woman standing near the rail. Whatever it is. It sure look unusual.
amazing to see the bare rock without the mighty waters surging thru and over the banks of nature, what strenth water has, to destroy or build up the earth as we know it, excellent photos, remarkable to the eye, hopefully someone has these photos in a museum on display for the public to look at and wonder at nature and all its' glory,, thankyou to whoever posted these prints, very good thinking and considerate of others,,,,,,,,,
Why don't we do it again?
In LATE April of 1989 I was visting my daughters in Cleveland, Ohio. Even though it was April, it had snowed and snowed and snowed. One day they told me that if the weather was clear they were going to take me someplace as a surprise and they took me to see Niagara Falls in all its winter wonder! Gorgeous! I will never forget it!!!
DON'T MISS IT IF YOU EVER HAVE THE CHANCE!
hat would have bean an crappy times too visiting them falls. huh? huh? am i wright? :D
WHOA! It's very ugly without water. However I have actually, with my own eyes, seen the Falls from the Buffalo side. It is very beautiful. I'd love to go there again whenever I get a chance.
Well... Ya know... It's umm... Well.............. I got a woody.
Really? Bring up politics, when they show you the power of 'stopping that much water from Niagra Falls? Never thought I would see a photo of NO water falling from there, and to actually see what it looks like under the falls. (hope they found no bodies). My grandmother went there back in the 1970's, she passed in 1980, and I know she would have loved to seen this! This is one hell of a shot and I agree with the person, who mentioned making posters to place on her walls for a conversation piece at home. I am going to just print out the before and after, its just awesome what can be done by man these days....oh yea, I'm sure there were a few women that helped out as well. No politic jokes please, this is only about Niagra Falls with and without its falls. Gonna place my prints, next to the picture of my Grandmother's picture standing on the U.S. side of the Falls.
It was quite the sight to behold and it was so quiet without the roar of the falls that people actually had to seek medical attention for psychological problems. Although I lived on Grand Island, NY, I taught school in Niagara Falls and it was so eerie because we were all use to that tremendous roar. Children's grades went down too and they were afraid.
We were not fortunate enough to have witnessed this phenomenon, but were there in 1993, and enjoyed the lovely Falls in all its glory. Beautiful and awesome sight! I have, also, seen pictures of the frozen Falls, which happened back in the early part of the 20th century, (?) I think.
Hi All!
I actually saw this when I was a LOT younger! At the time, it was kind of disappointing as my family and I had NO advance information that this had been done (June 1969 on our annual summer vacation driving trip). I, fortunately, still have some family photos of this from way back when, taken with my Kodak 'Brownie' camera...but these are of course much better. Brings back many memories of that time..like visiting the 'Ripley's Believe it or not' museum...thanks for putting this up!