Many people are not aware that we are slowly losing one of our most precious sources for beauty, awe, and of course power and water – the Niagara Falls. Niagara waterfalls have been eroding quite quickly over the past century, and despite man’s best efforts, it is still eroding today.
In fact, in the past 5000 years, the falls have actually moved seven feet due to erosion of the bedrock that lies beneath it. Geologists predict that at some point the Niagara Falls will no longer actually resemble waterfalls, but instead rapids, as they were before they became waterfalls.
Erosion isn’t the only real threat to Niagara Falls either. Industry is also a threat. In fact, both sides of the Falls are now lined with high rise buildings, cutting off the view for many. It was worse in the 1870’s, however, and there was even pressure to sell off and divide Goat Island, which afforded the last natural view of the Falls!
Later in the 1880’s, there was a conservation movement, called Free Access to Niagara Falls, in the United States. Those who participated in this movement were called Reservationists. There was a great deal of lobbying and cajoling, but by 1880, the most important document in Niagara Falls history was created: A report issued by the New York State Survey concerning what it would take to create a park at Niagara Falls. This report was written by Frederick Law Olmsted and James T. Gardner.
This report was actually important to conservationists in the future as well, since it was one of the very first conservation movements in the United States. This report proposed the New York State purchase several parcels of land to preserve the falls, and included reports of the deterioration, included photographs of that deterioration, and of course touted the beauty and majesty of the falls to compound why the falls should be saved.
Though the report was produced in 1880, it wasn’t until three years later, in 1883, that any action was taken on it. This is when New York Governor Grover Cleveland created legislation that would allow the purchase of land for a state reservation. Numerous prominent people got behind the legislation, and just two short years later, in 1885, the State Reservation at Niagara was established. That same year, in the province of Ontario, the Queen Victoria Niagara Falls Park was also established.
Today, there is a treaty that exists between the United States and Canada that makes both countries equally responsible for maintaining and preserving Niagara Falls. Despite this, however, lands that are privately held above the falls have had a negative effect on the area. Tall buildings have been built on the Canadian side, which has changed the air flow. This change in the air flow has created a thick mist of water that alters the view of the falls.
Scientists and geologists continue to test and measure erosion, and Canada and the United States continue to divert and re-divert water to slow natural erosion. This is an effort that will continue for all time to preserve this natural resource.
