Short Stuff: Niagara Falls Dewatered

Geological Changes

Niagara Falls, a breathtaking natural wonder, has undergone significant geological changes over the centuries. Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant discuss how the current configuration of the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls is only about 500 to 800 years old, a result of rapid erosion 1. This erosion has shaped the rocky and jagged landscape at the bottom of the falls, making it a dangerous site for daredevils attempting to go over in barrels 1. The hosts also highlight a joint commission's decision to preserve the falls naturally, respecting local residents' wishes to let nature take its course 2.

The idea that it's only been that way for 500 or 800 years is kind of surprising.

--- Josh Clark

This decision underscores the balance between human intervention and natural preservation.

   

Dewatering Discoveries

During the 1969 dewatering of Niagara Falls, several intriguing discoveries were made. Josh Clark recounts the finding of two bodies, one of which was a recent suicide, while the other was a mysterious woman in a red striped dress, never identified 3. The dewatering also revealed a surprisingly low number of animal carcasses, contrary to expectations 3. The engineering feat of drying up the falls involved constructing a cofferdam, diverting the river, and using 28,000 tons of fill, showcasing human ingenuity in managing natural wonders 4.

They built a cofferdam, which is just like a mound of earth that is holding water back that's not normally there.

--- Josh Clark

These efforts not only provided insights into the falls' geology but also highlighted the challenges of balancing preservation with human curiosity.