Plans are being discussed by the New York State Department to turn off the water flowing over Niagara Falls, well at least part of it anyway. The term Niagara Falls is actually a collective name for the three falls that straddle the border between America and Canada, the spectacular Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side, and the two smaller ones in the USA, The American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls.
The proposal is to divert water from the American side by diverting the flow over the Canadian Horseshoe Falls, over which 85% of the water already flows. This is to carry out essential work to replace the two 115-year-old stone arch bridges. The bridges were built to allow pedestrians’ access to Goat Island; these are deteriorating and temporary truss bridges were constructed due to safety concerns.
This will not be the first time it has happened if the plan is approved, as in 1969 the American side of the falls had its water diverted using what is referred to as a cofferdam. This 600-foot cofferdam was created by dumping 27,800 tons of rock and dirt until the flow was stopped completely. Some interesting things were found when the American Falls were “dry” including a body as well as numerous coins.
The diverting of the water is not expected to cause much effect on natural resources in the area, perhaps just de-locating a few birds from the shoreline. The New York State Department is hoping to have a design approval in place by this summer, following public comments, a final design for the project will begin when funding is in place.
The whole project could take as long as four years as it will be approximately two years before the final design, obtaining permits and approvals, and award the construction contract, plus a further two years to carry out the work.
