Dewatered American Falls
- Date Range
- 1969 – 1969
- Title
- Dewatered American Falls
- What occurred
- During the 1950's a series of rockslides were caused by the natural erosion of Niagara Falls, and sediments and boulders piled up in the basin at the bottom. Along the American portion of the falls, the curtain of water was effectively halved, therefore making it less impactful on viewers. In 1969, the American side of Niagara Falls was dammed and drained, which allowed for Engineers to clean out the basin, fortify the overhang at the top of the cliff, and eliminate any rock outcrops that showed signs of faultiness or future breakage. Science and technology had progressed so far that we began to alter our natural environments and even our natural wonders. With Niagara Falls, we saw Humans enact their views on how the falls should look, instead of appreciating the natural beauty that they offer. The very geologic processes that once created the falls, were now is seen as a threat that challenged the idealized version of Niagara Falls in people's minds.
- Location
- 10 Rainbow Blvd, Niagara Falls, NY 14303
- Image Citation
- Macfarlane, Daniel. “Saving Niagara From Itself: The Campaign to Preserve and Enhance the American Falls, 1965-1975.” Environment and History, vol. 25, no. 4, 2019, pp. 489–520, https://doi.org/10.3197/096734018X15254461646396.
- Student name(s)
- Thomas Schrader