ZMT: Daily Fact: Why did the Army Corps of Engineers turn off Niagara Falls?

Daily Fact: Why did the Army Corps of Engineers turn off Niagara Falls?

Original photo by CHENG FENG CHIANG/ iStock

In 1969 the Army Corps of Engineers turned off part of Niagara Falls.

Niagara Falls is one of the world's great ecological wonders, dumping a rush of 3,160 tons of water over its crest every second. That's likely why more than 100,000 people showed up to see part of the waterfall suddenly run dry in 1969 — a feat that was orchestrated not by nature, but by engineers.

Niagara Falls consists of three waterfalls: Horseshoe Falls (the largest), Bridal Veil Falls (the smallest), and American Falls, which today stands 190 feet tall. But major rock falls in 1931 and 1954 shortened the American Falls' drop by nearly half, threatening its structural stability. So in June 1969, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers "dewatered" the massive cataract in an attempt to survey its sturdiness and give crews an opportunity to remove the enormous rock pile sitting below (although that plan was later abandoned due to cost concerns). Temporary cofferdams were built above the American Falls, diverting water to the other two drop-offs and effectively drying out the waterfall for months.

Seeing the underlying rocky riverbed was a rare sight; onlookers hadn't seen the bare crest since March 1848, when an ice dam on the Niagara River curtailed the watery curtain. This time, scientists used the water shutoff to map the waterfall's face, collect core samples, and install water pressure monitors. Work at the site was completed in five months, and by November 1969 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers removed its dam, unveiling a restored waterfall to a surge of visitors.

Numbers Don't Lie

Length (in miles) of the Niagara River, connecting Lake Erie with Lake Ontario

Year the Maid of the Mist, a touring steamboat, made its maiden voyage below Niagara Falls

1846

Year Annie Edson Taylor went over the falls in a barrel, the first person to survive such a stunt

1901

Estimated remaining life span (in years) of Niagara Falls, which will eventually stop flowing due to erosion

50,000

A Vice President's daughter helped popularize honeymooning at Niagara Falls.

Today's newlyweds often look to tropical destinations for a post-wedding getaway, though at one time, the ultimate honeymoon spot was in upstate New York. For decades, Niagara Falls was considered the "honeymoon capital of the world." The fact that the massive waterfall had such a draw for lovers has to do with its early history of attracting high-profile couples. Historians point particularly to Theodosia Burr Alston, daughter of third Vice President Aaron Burr (arguably best known for his infamous duel with Alexander Hamilton). Theodosia and her new husband, Joseph Alston, visited the spot in 1801 after their nuptials; a few years later, Niagara Falls received another publicized visit from Jerome Bonaparte (brother to Napoleon) and his bride, Elizabeth Patterson. With the help of easy railroad access and a community that catered to tourism, Niagara Falls reached its peak popularity as a honeymoon destination in the 1950s, but the tradition hasn't entirely faded. Newlyweds who visit today receive certificates signed by the mayor of Niagara Falls to commemorate their honeymoon choice.

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Daily Fact: Why did the Army Corps of Engineers turn off Niagara Falls?