Strange Things Scientists Discovered After Niagara Falls Was Blocked In 1969

Niagara Falls has seen some strange occurrences over the centuries. In 1827, a hotel owner sent a herd of wildlife to the falls in a cargo ship, and only a goose survived. But on June 12, 1969, something even stranger happened when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stopped the flow of the falls. Scientists had drained Niagara Falls for research, the New York Times reported. Interested in trading.

Niagara Falls is a spectacular waterfall that connects three waterfalls at the southern end of the Niagara Gorge, on the border of Ontario in Canada and New York in the United States. The three bodies of water are called Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls, in order of size. While Horseshoe Falls borders two countries, the other falls are located within the United States. Goat Island separates Bridal Veil Falls from Goat Island, and both are located in New York from American Falls.

According to the The bright sideNiagara Falls first formed about 12,000 years ago, after the last ice age. The falls appeared after ice sheets covered southern Ontario and began moving south, creating the basins of the Great Lakes in their path. They melted and released massive amounts of water into the basins. As the ice melted, the resulting water began to flow down into what are now the Niagara River, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario.

By the 17th century, Niagara Falls had begun to gain popularity as a tourist destination. In 1842, writer Charles Dickens visited the site, described the beautiful sight, and wrote: “When I felt how near I was to my Creator, the first, and the lasting—the lasting—affect of the immense spectacle was peace.” The falls were not only a natural wonder, but also an abundance of natural resources.

A few years after King C. Gillette predicted that Niagara Falls might become part of a city called Metropolis, Nikola Tesla designed one of the first hydroelectric power stations near the falls. He considered it a major achievement in human history, Smithsonian MagazineOver the years, piles of rock have built up at the base of the falls. In 1931, about 76,000 tons of rock slid down to the base, and in 1954, 185,000 tons fell, according to Business Insider. So not only did the rocks create an unsightly appearance, they also posed the risk that the falls could soon turn into rapids.

In the summer of 1969, scientists were tasked with removing and examining these rocks. Their goal was to analyze how to save the falls from erosion. To do this, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers brought 27,000 tons of rocks loaded into thousands of trucks and used them to create a dam that would block the water. This water was diverted to Horseshoe Falls, which absorbed the hard-fought stream, according to Bright Side.

When the waterfall dried up, researchers were surprised by what they found at its dry bottom. They found many coins scattered on the bottom of the waterfall, probably thrown by people to make a wish. Aside from the coins, they found the bodies of two people. Over the next few weeks, more than 100,000 people visited the site to view the waterless falls from a bare cliff. Most of them were curious about why the water had stopped, and how long it would remain blocked. Meanwhile, for the next five months, engineers worked tirelessly to examine the rock bottom, and in 1974, they concluded that the rocks were necessary to maintain the waterfall’s position. American Falls International Council He announced in a report that he was against their removal.

On November 25, 1969, a crane arrived at the Niagara Falls site and drilled a hole in the dam. Through the hole, water began to pour out in torrential streams. The American Falls were once again flowing freely. However, scientists estimated that the falls might need to be dammed again at some point, to repair the surrounding bridges.