Home WebMail Friday, November 1, 2024, 05:20 AM | Calgary | -3.0°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
Posted: 2016-01-25T15:11:02Z | Updated: 2016-01-25T15:12:38Z New York May Temporarily 'Turn Off' Niagara Falls | HuffPost Life

New York May Temporarily 'Turn Off' Niagara Falls

Who knew this was even possible?!

Plan a visit while you can , because Niagara Falls could soon run dry  if authorities temporarily "turn off" the natural wonder to accommodate a construction project.

Yup, it's possible. Nope, it's not easy to believe. 

This week, New York State Parks staff will discuss plans to replace a pair of bridges  built in 1901 that allow tourist access to two small islands  near the waterfalls, The Buffalo News reports. Two of three proposed plans for completing the project involve temporarily halting the flow of the falls; if one is passed, the American side of the falls will be turned astoundingly dry , just as it was during a similar shutdown in the 1960s :

Open Image Modal
Barcroft via Getty Images
Open Image Modal
Barcroft via Getty Images
Open Image Modal
Barcroft via Getty Images

It's a shocking sight, as Niagara Falls usually looks like this: 

Open Image Modal
Stephen Saks via Getty Images
Open Image Modal
manoa via Getty Images

The falls were "turned off"  in 1969 when workers used a cofferdam to divert water from the American side to the Canadian so they could study the effects of erosion, the Niagra Falls Review reports.  

Visitors flocked from all over to see the "skeleton" of the Falls, as well as a pair of actual skeletons that emerged when the water dried up.

The plans to temporarily dry Niagara will be discussed on Wednesday . The Buffalo News reports that even if the idea is passed, it likely won't go into effect for at least a couple of years

While Niagara Falls can feel a little overrated , this ambitious project would give us even more to see -- and a rare sight it will be. 

Also on HuffPost:

Your Support Has Never Been More Critical

Other news outlets have retreated behind paywalls. At HuffPost, we believe journalism should be free for everyone.

Would you help us provide essential information to our readers during this critical time? We can't do it without you.

Support HuffPost

HuffPost Shoppings Best Finds

MORE IN LIFE