Niagara Falls Turned Off

In June the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers diverted the flow of the Niagara River over the American Falls to the Canadian Falls by constructing a 1,200-foot rock and earth cofferdam from the American side of Goat Island to the shore. The dam was completed and the American Falls were "turned off" on June 12. The purpose of the shut down was to allow geologists and engineers to examine the accumulated rock debris at the base of the falls, which could over time build up to such a height as to transform the falls into a series of steep rapids, and to devise ways to prevent future undercutting of the rock face. It also allowed workmen to remove some of the accumulated debris and clean up the river channel. The field studies were completed and the falls were "turned back on" on November 25.

SEE ALSO
Niagara Falls

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This page was last updated on March 30, 2018.