Here's what Niagara Falls looked like when it was turned off for the first time in 12,000 years

James PasleyApr 7, 2023, 23:54 IST

Niagara Falls dried up in 1969.AP

In 1969, the US Army Corps of Engineers dumped 27,000 tons of rock to dam the Niagara River and stop the American Falls.
They were assessing a growing pile of boulders at the bottom out of concern the falls could become rapids.

"They tamed it and now they will unleash it."

According to The New York Times in 1969, that was how a tourist characterized the historic moment that the Niagara River was released to gush down over the American Falls once again after it had been cut off for six months.

Engineers had blocked it off so they could examine the boulders at the base of the falls and see whether they could be removed.

While it was blocked off, they discovered two bodies as well as countless coins. They also found it wasn't feasible to move all of the rock.

Here's why, after 12,000 years, the famous falls were "turned off."

About 12,000 years ago, Niagara Falls formed when a new channel — now known as the Niagara River — linked up between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. The falls are at a crook where the Niagara River turns to the north by about 90 degrees.

An aerial view of Niagara Falls in the 1900s.The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images

About 12,000 years ago, Niagara Falls formed when a new channel — now known as the Niagara River — linked up between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. The falls are at a crook where the Niagara River turns to the north by about 90 degrees.

Niagara Falls are divided up between Canada's Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls, and the Bridal Veil Falls. The most impressive of the falls is undoubtedly Horseshoe Falls.

An aerial view of the Horseshoe Falls, one of three parts of Niagara Falls.Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone/Getty Images

Niagara Falls are divided up between Canada's Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls, and the Bridal Veil Falls. The most impressive of the falls is undoubtedly Horseshoe Falls.

Niagara Falls began to get popular as a tourist destination as early as the 17th century.

Tourists pose for a photo in front of Niagara Falls in 1870.Sepia Times/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

In 1842, author Charles Dickens described his visit there. He wrote, "When I felt how near to my Creator I was standing, the first effect, and the enduring one — instant lasting — of the tremendous spectacle, was Peace."

Tourists observe the American Falls in the summer of 1753.The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images

In 1842, author Charles Dickens described his visit there. He wrote, "When I felt how near to my Creator I was standing, the first effect, and the enduring one — instant lasting — of the tremendous spectacle, was Peace."

For centuries, people visited the falls and some even jumped in. Some strange incidents occurred as well, including a hotel owner who sent a ship of animals down the falls, killing everything except a goose.

The American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls are at the left with Horseshoe Falls at the right in 1890.Underwood Archives/Getty Images

For centuries, people visited the falls and some even jumped in. Some strange incidents occurred as well, including a hotel owner who sent a ship of animals down the falls, killing everything except a goose.

But on June 12, 1969, something unusual happened to the water itself. For the first time in 12,000 years, the American Falls were turned off.

Niagara Falls dried up after the construction of a cofferdam in the background on June 21, 1969.AP

Where previously 45 million gallons of water had been crashing down 11 stories every minute, there was suddenly nothing but a trickle of water.

The American Falls in 2018.Patrick Gorski/NurPhoto/Getty Images

The US Army Corps of Engineers had dumped 27,000 tons of rock upstream to dam the Niagara River. The plan was to spend six months assessing the pile of boulders at the bottom of the falls and whether it was feasible to remove them.

The American Falls were cut off to just a trickle on June 13, 1969.AP

The US Army Corps of Engineers had dumped 27,000 tons of rock upstream to dam the Niagara River. The plan was to spend six months assessing the pile of boulders at the bottom of the falls and whether it was feasible to remove them.

The pile of boulders had been building up at the base of the falls for years. At times, it happened rapidly, like in 1931 when about 76,000 tons of rock fell to the base or in 1954 when 185,000 tons fell to the base.

Niagara Falls dried up in 1969.AP

The pile of boulders had been building up at the base of the falls for years. At times, it happened rapidly, like in 1931 when about 76,000 tons of rock fell to the base or in 1954 when 185,000 tons fell to the base.

The boulders were considered unsightly, and authorities feared if they were left long enough, the falls could become nothing more than rapids.

The American Falls from above on June 12, 1969.AP

According to The New York Times, the day after the falls were stopped, there was some "grisly excitement" after two bodies were found.

The American Falls were quiet while the Horseshoe Falls roared louder than ever on June 18, 1969.Power Authority of the State of New York/AP

On the first weekend of June, more than 100,000 people showed up to see the waterless falls. It was double the number of people who had gone on that weekend the previous year.

An aerial view of the trickle of water from the American Falls as water from the Niagara River was diverted to the Canadian Falls.Bob Olsen/Toronto Star via Getty Images

On the first weekend of June, more than 100,000 people showed up to see the waterless falls. It was double the number of people who had gone on that weekend the previous year.

For the next five months, engineers examined the bed of boulders, before later concluding in 1974 that the boulders were actually necessary to prop up the falls.

Workers are seen atop the dried up American Falls, which had been dried up to just a trickle in 1969.AP

On November 25, 1969, at 9:55 a.m., a crowd of several hundred people gathered to watch a crane dig a hole in the dam, and, according to The New York Times, water began to flow "as though from a leaky faucet."

The American Falls on December 10, 1969, after it was back to normal.BF/AP

On November 25, 1969, at 9:55 a.m., a crowd of several hundred people gathered to watch a crane dig a hole in the dam, and, according to The New York Times, water began to flow "as though from a leaky faucet."

After an hour, "the rocks became a churning rapids and water cascaded over the falls spewing forth a fine white mist," according to The New York Times. The American Falls were back.

Niagara Falls in November 1969 after the flow of water was released.AP

After an hour, "the rocks became a churning rapids and water cascaded over the falls spewing forth a fine white mist," according to The New York Times. The American Falls were back.

And that man may still end up being right. The American Falls continues to change and erode, though less than it used to. It now loses about 4 inches every decade in comparison to what used to be about 13 feet per year.

The American Falls as seen in 2014.Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket/Getty Images

And that man may still end up being right. The American Falls continues to change and erode, though less than it used to. It now loses about 4 inches every decade in comparison to what used to be about 13 feet per year.

It's also likely that the falls could be turned off again at some point. There are plans to repair several bridges linking New York to an island called Goat Island. But there's been no confirmed date for when that'll happen.

Spectators observe the American Falls and steel arch bridge from Goat Island, Niagara Falls, New York in 1895.DeWitt Historical Society/Morton Collection/Getty Images

It's also likely that the falls could be turned off again at some point. There are plans to repair several bridges linking New York to an island called Goat Island. But there's been no confirmed date for when that'll happen.

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Here's what Niagara Falls looked like when it was turned off for the first time in 12,000 years

About 12,000 years ago, Niagara Falls formed when a new channel — now known as the Niagara River — linked up between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. The falls are at a crook where the Niagara River turns to the north by about 90 degrees.

Niagara Falls are divided up between Canada's Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls, and the Bridal Veil Falls. The most impressive of the falls is undoubtedly Horseshoe Falls.

Niagara Falls began to get popular as a tourist destination as early as the 17th century.

In 1842, author Charles Dickens described his visit there. He wrote, "When I felt how near to my Creator I was standing, the first effect, and the enduring one — instant lasting — of the tremendous spectacle, was Peace."

For centuries, people visited the falls and some even jumped in. Some strange incidents occurred as well, including a hotel owner who sent a ship of animals down the falls, killing everything except a goose.

But on June 12, 1969, something unusual happened to the water itself. For the first time in 12,000 years, the American Falls were turned off.

Where previously 45 million gallons of water had been crashing down 11 stories every minute, there was suddenly nothing but a trickle of water.

The US Army Corps of Engineers had dumped 27,000 tons of rock upstream to dam the Niagara River. The plan was to spend six months assessing the pile of boulders at the bottom of the falls and whether it was feasible to remove them.

The pile of boulders had been building up at the base of the falls for years. At times, it happened rapidly, like in 1931 when about 76,000 tons of rock fell to the base or in 1954 when 185,000 tons fell to the base.

The boulders were considered unsightly, and authorities feared if they were left long enough, the falls could become nothing more than rapids.

According to The New York Times, the day after the falls were stopped, there was some "grisly excitement" after two bodies were found.

On the first weekend of June, more than 100,000 people showed up to see the waterless falls. It was double the number of people who had gone on that weekend the previous year.

For the next five months, engineers examined the bed of boulders, before later concluding in 1974 that the boulders were actually necessary to prop up the falls.

On November 25, 1969, at 9:55 a.m., a crowd of several hundred people gathered to watch a crane dig a hole in the dam, and, according to The New York Times, water began to flow "as though from a leaky faucet."

After an hour, "the rocks became a churning rapids and water cascaded over the falls spewing forth a fine white mist," according to The New York Times. The American Falls were back.

And that man may still end up being right. The American Falls continues to change and erode, though less than it used to. It now loses about 4 inches every decade in comparison to what used to be about 13 feet per year.

It's also likely that the falls could be turned off again at some point. There are plans to repair several bridges linking New York to an island called Goat Island. But there's been no confirmed date for when that'll happen.