Is there a switch somewhere that can turn the water off at Niagara Falls?

The answer to this question is an interesting interweaving of the natural and built environments, International politics, and managing all the different interests (industrial, commercial, and recreational) surrounding Niagara Falls.

For full show notes, see www.buildbigideas.com/post/can-you-turn-off-niagara-falls-ep-009

Outline of the conversation

First, all 5 great lakes are naturally hydrologically connected…in theory a drop of water in far western Lake superior could find it’s way to the Atlantic ocean flowing across superior through the straits of Mackinac…depending on currents circulating in Lake Michigan then running the long dimension of lakes Huron, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario…then out the St. Lawrence River completing a journey of over 2000 miles. This connection is important not only from hydrologic cycle but also modern day for navigation of vessels recreation and commercial industries.

For water to flow by gravity there has to be a gradient…View the profile of the Great Lakes clearly see gravity moves water. Previously there were rapids on the St. Mary’s river, now the location of the Soo lock and dam managing a 23.5ft drop. The only other major gradient is Niagara falls a 326ft drop overall. This massive gradient is thanks to the impacts of water erosion on varying geology inherent in the Niagara Escarpment.

Very early on settlers in the area realized the potential energy of that change in elevation.

Late 1750s Daniel Joncaire built a small canal and diversion a water wheel inserted in Niagara river to power a saw mill.

The first hydro electric power plant was built in 1853.  The construction of hydraulic tunnels and canals, two power stations in Niagara Falls; combined with innovations in electricity (alternating current) and transmission (power lines and transformers) allowed this to come together for large scale use. Proximity to the falls created a lot of ancillary benefits to Buffalo with advancements in longer range electrical power transmission and alternating current. Buffalo benefited due to its proximity becoming the first major city in the US with larger scale street lighting. In 1961, when the Niagara Falls hydroelectric project went online, it was the largest hydropower facility in the Western world.

The challenge then be came balancing the commercial/industrial interests with natural beauty of the site.  Of note Niagara Falls actually consists of three separate falls, Horse Shoe, Bridal Vail, and American Falls.

Lots of water that crosses the international boundary between Canada and the US. In 1909 the US and Canada established the Boundary Waters Treaty. It governs all boundary waters activities. The International Joint Commission was formed with members from the US and Canada to manage the treaty. In 1950 the international treaty between the US and Canada was revised seeking to strike a better balance between the built and natural aspects of the falls. An additional governing body, International Niagara Committee, was formed to manage the unique nature of the Falls as a boundary water.

Threads to pull on future episodes

How do vessels navigate the Great Lakes and what role does this navigation infrastructure plan in the US and Canadian economies?