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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 will never forget the first time I ever saw the falls. I was 5 years old and my parents took us to Niagara Falls and Toronto for the summer. When I was in college, we were up for a Buffalo Bills game and we went across at night. With none of the lights on, it was black and white and gray. It was incredible, like a Ansel Adams photo come to life. I suggest to anyone who goes, just enjoy it, see it at night and don't get caught by the Mounties!!
We were there in October on the Canadian side & I thought it was pretty cool. It was my first time.
Growing up, we had family living in Geneseo, NY. We made many trips to the falls. I do recall the first time one of my sister's saw the falls - following a 17-hour trip from home ... At 7 years of age - her statement was, "its just water, you can see that in the tub" ... Glad we didn't make another trip when there was no water!
I have been to this beauitful place, one of the 7 wonders of the world. This is one of the places everyone should see at least once in their life. Just goes to show you that you are just a dot on this Earth. I can't believe that when the water runs out (which it will) in time, how famous will this spot be? Until then go see it!
Men should not mess with what God has created.
Hmm--guessing there's either some oil or natural gas under those falls. If we could just divert it again long enough to drill a test well.
hello-could not get to comment section re-assange-he was interviewed by msnbc.com today-i say he should be tried for espianoge[sp]this man is very dangerous re-western countries security situation-dont let him get names of cia in war zone......................
A couple of things go to the falls in the winter, they have great laser shows on the fals that are partially frozen. Also if you go the the Canadian side they have a beautiful casino and observation tower. You do need a passport.
Especially the fourth picture makes you wonder if there are any ledges that you could stand on behind the falling water. (Like in every movie where someone walks through a waterfall into a cave behind it.) I bet the water flow skips some of those ledges.
I was there when I was 8. We walked below also. There was a stair well. It was still wet because of the Canadian side from the mist. I wanted to take the boat ride, but can't remember why we didn't. I haven't been back since, but would sure like to go sometime.
This was so interesting. We were there that year! Remember Chevy Chase and "Family Vacation?" We got all the way there and it was closed!! They had special tours and some great pictures were taken by us all....
Let me know how YOUR plung goes..
Thanks Jack for mentioning the PBS special. How many of these people know that years ago-"thousads-plus" the falls were miles down stream?
So, how much erosion was measured during this inspection? Any idea of the rate since these photos?
Kudos to you four. You have successfully made asses of yourselves. While pointing out one error, you've each made one of your own.
Wayne, your question mark belongs outside of your quotations. Teach, I sincerely hope that Teach is your given name, and not your occupation. You have utilized the wrong version of 'to', and grossly abused the exclamation points. Three, really? I won't even start on the smiley face. KK181, your comment isn't even a sentence. And Willie, a simple period at the end of your comment and you could have been exempt from my list.
Hate me if you want to, but never forget that there is always room for mockery in hypocrisy.
I grew up in Western NY...about 35 minutes from Niagara Falls. I remember going to see this when I was eight. It was very impressive. I still think about it from time to time. I also remember the Blizzard of '77 when the ice build up was tremendous and there was a trickle of water that looked like it was coming down from both sides of the Falls. Things that leave an impression....
I saw the falls from the Canadian side a few years back and it was truly amazing. Not sure about the American side, but on the Canadian side you are close enough to stick your hand in the water as it cascades over the edge. The Canadian town of Niagara though was horrible. It is like a theme park from the 50's that never got upgraded. It's cheesy, plastic and grotesquely commercialized with hideous giant fiberglass cartoon characters and fun house and other cultural low brow activities. It would be a great spot for a very B rated zombie flick. I am surprised that there has not been more modern development considering how much tourism there is. And yeah the water sucks. I didnt notice a smell around the falls so much but the tap water smelled of chemicals.
Brings back memories of my only trip to Niagra Falls -- in 1969! Would love to return one day.
My family vacationed there during this time and we were so disappointed. It was a time when everyone was mad at America and I remember the vague feeling (I was 8 at the time) that somehow this was slap at the US. The Canadian Falls were running strong, ours were a trickle...
First of all-- it could never get cold enough to stop the water in the river-AH. I am 59 and grew up on a 6X8 mile island, 3 miles upriver from the falls. They turned the falls off because a big piece of the observation deck on Goat Island broke off in the middle of the night! During the day, there would been 50 to 100 people standing there. They shored up the rock there to prevent any more break-offs.
I was fortunate to be a geology student who helped survey the face of the falls with the U.S.Geologic Survey.The intent was to find if there was a way of stabilizing the cap rock layer of the falls so that the regression upriver of the falls location would be slowed. The falls have moved 7 miles upriver in the last 10,000 years-quite fast in geological terms! The determination was that the cap rock was regionally fractured and little could be done to prevent the undercutting and movement from occuring. This had nothing to do with politics. This was done pre Reagan when the rich payed taxes & there were funds to maintain our country. Now there is no money to even keep some of our national landmarks open! Where did we go wrong, America?
Slowly I turn, step by step.....
I was waiting for that... thanks!!
to all who insist on a republican or democrat slant on this and other obviously non-plitical topics...stfu....please!
This site has some interesting facts about Niagra Falls :
http://www.niagarafallslive.com/facts_about_niagara_falls.htm
My mom is from a little town outside of Buffalo, so I have been there many times. It is an amazing sight - I would have loved to visit it during this time, but I wasn't even born yet. There used to be so much to do on the New York side but now it is better to visit the Canadian side. The town of Niagra Falls is not as bad as people make it out to be. The economy there is horrible from what I have heard. But it is not as ugly as some people make it out to be. The falls are breathtaking during the winter when it snows and the ice melts on the falls. Truly an amazing place to visit!