If you could step into a time machine and return to 1969, you would witness a spectacular sight.
Niagara Falls, also known as Buffalo Falls, has long been famous as an “artwork of nature” situated between the borders of the United States and Canada. Every year, millions of tourists from around the world flock to admire the breathtaking scenery that seems like a paradise.
With a height of nearly 60 meters and a total length of over 1.2 kilometers, Niagara is considered one of the two largest waterfalls in the world, second only to Victoria Falls in Southern Africa.
From above, the colossal waterfall resembles a galaxy.
The water cascades into a white foam under the sunlight, resembling thousands of suspended pearls. Occasionally, rainbows appear.
The waterfall roars like a horse, shaking the mountains and valleys, echoing like distant thunder for miles.
The three waterfalls crossing the border between Canada and the United States together create a wonder we call the magnificent Niagara Falls.
The three waterfalls are Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls, listed from largest to smallest.
American Falls is entirely located within the U.S., while Horseshoe Falls is mostly on the Canadian side, separated by Goat Island. Bridal Veil Falls—the smallest of the three—is located on the U.S. side but is separated from the others by Luna Island. Together, they form a unique border between the neighboring U.S. and Canada.
Niagara Falls Dries Up for the First Time in 12,000 Years
In 1969, a special event occurred with this majestic waterfall.
At Niagara, water continuously cascades like a horse, shaking the mountains, resembling the sound of distant thunder echoing for miles. The powerful flow is so intense that many people doubted that scientists could actually stop the furious flow.
They had to build a dam 182 meters long, spanning the enormous Niagara River to halt such torrential flows. This meant redirecting 60,000 gallons of water per second to allow the remaining flow to pass over Horseshoe Falls. Over 27,000 tons of rock were used to construct the dam, and more than a thousand trucks transported the stones during the hot summer of 1969.
As night fell, high-intensity colored lights illuminated the waterfall, creating a shimmering, mystical scene.
On June 12, American Falls stopped flowing after over 12,000 years of continuous flow.
However, locals remained worried. They knew it was impossible to control such a water volume. They feared that the water might find a different path and cause a catastrophic flood. They were concerned that tourists would stop coming if the authorities did not manage to restore the waterfall to its previous state.
Yet, tourists continued to flock to the site, even that summer. They had a unique opportunity to see something that no one had ever seen before or would see again: the view at the foot of the falls, revealing what would be exposed when the water no longer flows.
At that time, a temporary walkway was constructed just 6 meters from the edge of American Falls. It was opened to allow workers to clean the bottom of what was once a river always filled with water. When the water receded, tourists could explore the wild landscape of a site that had remained “hidden” for 12,000 years, completely inaccessible to anyone.
Images of Niagara Falls in the past.
While exploring the dry bottom of the falls, researchers accidentally discovered millions of coins that people had thrown into the water over the decades—perhaps to make a wish or for other reasons.
They removed most of those coins. However, in recent decades, more and more tourists have come here. Imagine all the items they could find now if it were drained again.
Of course, there would be many coins found, but also possibly cameras, drones, mobile phones, and other items that careless visitors might have accidentally dropped.
The idea of draining all the water and turning Niagara Falls into a desert has proven feasible. But it may need to be executed again. In 2020, media reported that two pedestrian bridges at Niagara Falls needed replacement or repair. Understandably so, as they were nearly 120 years old. These bridges are located above the falls. Experts discussed whether they should redirect the water flow once more.
Surprising Facts
People have talked a lot about interesting facts regarding Niagara Falls, and some believe it to be one of the tallest waterfalls in the world. But that is not true. Niagara is famous, valuable, and spectacular, but when it comes to height, nearly 500 waterfalls around the globe are taller than Niagara. Take Angel Falls in Venezuela as an example—it is over 1,000 meters high.
However, what makes Niagara Falls special compared to other waterfalls is the volume of water flow. Tall waterfalls often do not have large volumes of water. The combination of massive water flow and height is what makes Niagara Falls so spectacular. Additionally, Niagara is considered the fastest-moving waterfall on our planet.
Back in 1848, this waterfall stopped flowing for 40 hours.
The Niagara River emerged after the last Ice Age, along with the entire Great Lakes basin—Niagara River is part of it. 18,000 years ago, this magnificent waterfall did not exist. Glaciers covered the southern Ontario region.
As the glaciers moved south, they created the basins of the Great Lakes. Then, they melted, releasing a massive amount of water into these basins.
In general, the water we drink is “fossil water.” Only 1% of it is replenished annually, while the remaining 99% comes from glaciers. The Niagara Peninsula has not been frozen for nearly 12,500 years. As the ice melted, water began to flow, transforming into the Niagara River, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario. It took a long time, but the water eventually eroded the cliffs, creating these stunning waterfalls.
You may notice that the Niagara River has a magnificent blue color. This color indicates to us the power of the water as it erodes. Every minute, Niagara Falls releases over 60 tons of dissolved minerals.
People living in the U.S. and Canada use the water from the Niagara River for various purposes. For example, fishing, drinking, recreational activities—including swimming, canoeing, and birdwatching—and generating hydroelectric power…
The first hydroelectric power plant in the world was built in the late 19th century, right next to Niagara. Soon, it began to be effective. However, this electricity could only be transmitted within a range of 100 meters, so improvements were needed. Inventor Nikola Tesla took on the challenge and made the necessary changes. He discovered that electricity could be transmitted over long distances using alternating current.
There is another interesting event that once occurred with Niagara. The year 1969 was not the only time Niagara Falls stopped flowing.
Back in 1848, this waterfall ceased to operate for 40 hours. At that time, Niagara was already very popular with tourists and a valuable energy source for locals, so they “panicked” when the water suddenly stopped flowing.
This time, nature was the “culprit.” Specifically, ice had blocked the flow of the Niagara River. An American farmer was the first to discover this. It was on March 29, while he was taking a stroll at midnight. Suddenly, the man realized he could not hear the powerful roar of the waterfall. He quickly went to the river’s edge and stood there in astonishment—the water had completely vanished.
Plants and businesses had to close due to their dependence on the water supply from the Niagara River. Aquatic creatures also perished. Some people walked down to the dry riverbed, picking up items that tourists had once dropped.
But two days later, on March 31, the distant thunderous sound from upstream grew closer and louder until a “wall of water” appeared before them.
And then, one of the most captivating attractions in the world, drawing millions of tourists each year, resumed operation—magnificent and ultimately indomitable. Just as it should be.
