The Day Niagara Falls Ran Dry

The name Niagara Falls is derived from a native American word that means “a thundering noise.” You can imagine the surprise of area residents, therefore, when, just after midnight on March 30, 1848, the thunder suddenly stopped.
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This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.
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Script by THG
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[@KevinT3141]

"A day when the awesome power of nature was held back -- by the awesome power of nature." Artfully put Lance, thank you.

[@zenpowersgaming5511]

I loved it too! Great comments, all the time. Best History narrator, ever!

[@ginog5037]

So true, don't mess with mother nature...

[@poopsock7493]

​@@ginog5037 don't forget about the butt plug

[@davidsmith8997]

@@ginog5037 Unless you're mother nature!

[@marvindebot3264]

Yeah, I said the second half along with him and laughed, clever line.

[@MojoPup]

This is one of a small handful of YT channels in which i come away feeling like I've gained brain cells, not lost them.. Great Job Sir!

[@bblegacy]

I grew up in NF on the American side and it's hard for people to grasp how loud the falls are. I just googled the distance from our house where I grew up to the closest "address point" to the brink of the American Falls (that I could think of) - "#2 Buffalo Avenue" - and from my childhood home to the falls it's 3.7 miles across the city. The reason I mention this is because I can remember as a child the warm and hot summer nights in our house, sleeping with the windows open, and after everything quieted down and there was no traffic or noise anywhere, there was ALWAYS the soothing faint rumble of the falls in the distance (nearly four miles away). It was omnipresent - always just "there". Considering how LOUD the world is now and how utterly still life must have been back in the 1840's, with ZERO electricity or automobile / truck engines, NO sound coming from the tires of a vehicle rolling down pavement anywhere, no TVs, radios, stereos or airliners flying overhead, - NOTHING - I can totally understand locals being utterly bewildered by perhaps going to take the dog out at 11:00PM that fateful night, opening the door to go outside and hearing absolutely NOTHING, but the absolute stillness of the evening, and NO faint roar of the falls in the distance. It's no wonder people probably got freaked out by it, when it's something that's always "there" - and you don't even realize how used to it you are - until it's not there, and you're really surrounded by silence. What amazes me more than anything when I go back "home" to visit now is just going down to the state park at night and walking to the falls' edge long after the tourists are gone for the day and everything is shut down, but the illumination lights from across the river in Canada are on and pointed at the falls providing a fair degree of ambient light in the darkness of late evening, with a few of the lights on in the park along the paths and walkways, and right there up close are the falls that are really pretty loud (and violent yet majestic) when you're right up close and there aren't any distractions and you really don't have any thoughts on your mind. Visually, the moving water crashes every direction in the rapids ("Devil's Alley") and violently splashes 5-10 feet up in spots as the river water violently heads slightly downhill toward the brink of the American Falls. You're astonished by the sheer power of it all; it is, after all, maybe only two feet deep but with rocks like razor blades shredding the water into bits and sending it every direction as it heads toward the inevitable. Looking into the rushing water itself is very hypnotic and it just draws you in. You realize that you are NO match for what nature can do and just does by itself. Your eyes are pulled toward staring into the water crashing over the edge and there's a peace and tranquility about it all that literally sucks you in, transfixed. After a few minutes when you realize that it feels like time has just plain stopped, it dawns on you at some point ... this water has been going over this cliff like this since long before there was any recorded human history, and it is going over the cliff in front of you as you are watching it, and you realize these hundreds of thousands of gallons per second going over the edge and crashing down 180 feet and (!) it NEVER stops. It will be doing that when I go home to visit again later this summer just like it was when I was there a year ago and it has been doing this the whole time since I've been gone since last summer, and it will still be going over that cliff just like this long after I'm dead and gone, just because ... it ... never ... stops ... < ...other than for one documented freakish night and the following day 175 or so years ago, when it really did stop just as you said, and on its own, no less> I think just growing up there in that place had a tremendous impact on how I think and view the world. Mother Nature will always and inevitably do whatever she wants and us humans are only onlookers, regardless of what any of us think or want.

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Great comment. My uncle's family farm have been growing fruit just outside of Niagara on the Lake for a long time and I spent my childhood hiking and fishing all up down the river. The sound and sight of the Falls and whirlpool never ceases to amaze me. Cheefs

[@bayoumanbryan]

@ dear sir/maam that was a well written short story. its the longest story that i have ever read in any KZbin comment section. if you are not an author you should be. i think that your books would be popular.

[@misspatty6543]

​@@buckodonnghaile4309BLM

[@joegrapes9121]

I’m from there and in 1969 walked across lip of the American Falls when they stopped the water to study the rocks. Pretty cool!

[@skippingstones2023]

My home town, too, on the Canadian side. I remember it well.

[@leonardothefabulous3490]

@@skippingstones2023 Do either of you have photos?

[@moneyandtimefreedom3352]

There a few photos on google that I come across about a year ago, pretty fascinating to see.

[@iscovidoveryet7828]

I remember that, I grew up in Western Hill. Even extended family came from Quebec to check it out too.

[@fubarlife7776]

I wasn't walking yet born in 1969 😂

[@liviia305]

I'm a Buffalo native who continues to be impressed by the absolute power of the falls. When approaching, you can hear and feel the rumble of the falls and the coolness of the spray long before you actually can catch a glimpse of the falls themselves.

[@pyrexmaniac]

I live about a quarter mile upstream very close to the river....the sound is perpetual. It's so calming to open my windows at night and fall asleep to the soothing sound.

[@Mywhtjp]

Kinda like an active earthquake without the damage. I got a chance to visit the falls once. Amazing place.

[@buzbuz33-99]

Your discussion of the history of honeymooning by the falls was an interesting digression. Around 1850, one of my ancestors, who had a farm above the Cumberland Falls, built a lodge for honeymooners and became a justice of the peace.

[@cellpat2686]

I bet we know where they got that idea from. Amazing.

[@buzbuz33-99]

@@cellpat2686 I am guessing that it was part of a nationwide trend, that probably started at Niagara Falls. Interestingly, the lodges were located above the falls, so you couldn't really see the falls from the lodges, but only could hear them.

[@cellpat2686]

It's good that you know all that about your ancestors. A source of pride.

[@REDSHlFT]

That’s pretty cool. I live very near Niagara Falls but travel a lot for work. I’ve spent some time down that way and have gone to the Cumberland Falls, and went at night during a clear full moon to get pictures of the ‘moonbow’!

[@Daniel_Rood]

A cup of coffee, some eggs, and a THG video... A great start to any day!

[@joelspaulding5964]

Just home from 12 hours× 7 nights at the hospital. Replace coffee with ale, for today. THG then bed. 3rd THG episode in past hour.

[@silentvoiceinthedark5665]

Sure as long as it aint instant coffee, THG deserves a decent cup of coffee.

[@roberttaylor7637]

A drpepper and a chicken biscuit for breakfast while watching THG!

[@c.k.g.7628]

I enjoy THG videos. I also listen to the Bible in a Year podcast and the Catechism in a Year podcast with Fr Mike Schmitz on KZbin.

[@kencarp57]

And can I get an AMEN???

[@rodneykantorski736]

I've lived my entire 64 years in the same home in Clarence, a suburb of Buffalo NY, and occasionally work out of Niagara Falls. I've never heard of this before. Thanks History Guy!

[@patriciajrs46]

Why isn't it mandatory news? It should be.

[@hbic3]

Really???

[@mikeo1567]

Have lived 6 miles from the Falls for 68 years and have never heard this story before. Thanks

[@bimbamjam]

Born & raised in Niagara Falls, Ontario I had heard about this many times but your presentation brings life to the stories. Great job.

[@wyominghome4857]

I first saw Niagara Falls from the Canadian side, which is a down slope walk toward the falls and looks down into the gorge. Words cannot describe how massive the falls are. I was stunned.

[@stevedietrich8936]

I believe the Red River of the North, running between North Dakota and Minnesota, and emptying into Lake Winnipeg in Canada, frequently suffers a similar fate. Since the river runs north, the southern portions melt before the northern portions. The north flowing water can't get past the ice further north and they get intense flooding along the river in places like Fargo, ND and Grand Forks, ND.

[@jonadabtheunsightly]

Hmm. But that river "only" carries a few thousand cubic feet per second, a tiny fraction of the flow rate of the Niagara. Fortunately, Lake Erie is rather large, so a couple billion gallons of water backing up, would hardly change the depth at all.

[@howardhales6325]

And Winnipeg, Manitoba.

[@lennelson7012]

Steve D is correct about the Red River of the North. The real trouble begins when the ice dams the river, the flooding is like pouring a glass of water on a level smooth surface. The surrounding terrain is some of the flattest in North America.

[@daerdevvyl4314]

Or as we call it, "the Red River." Sort of like how we don't have to specify "ice hockey" and just call it hockey. Anyway, every year, machines are employed to remove ice jams on the river and prevent it from causing flooding. And Winnipeg has the Floodway to take some of the water which has helped the city avoid major flooding since the huge flood of 1950 when most of the city was underwater.

[@stevedietrich8936]

@@daerdevvyl4314 Fair enough, and Red River is what I call it as well. I added "the north" because there is a more nationally known Red River in Texas and Oklahoma. That Red River has a movie named after it starring John Wayne. Thanks for the other info.

[@cellpat2686]

Only the written words from 1848 survive to tell us of history that deserves to be remembered. Good job THG.

[@kidwave1]

But you can find actual photos of the suspension bridge, ...it is very cool. I am trying to discover if there are any traces of the bridges 4 pylons still in existence.

[@marklittle8805]

I live on the other side of Lake Ontario. I try to come visit the falls once a year. It is hard to imagine how an ice dam could block that river off. The sheer weight of water and the volume of it is just unfathomable.

[@kevinbarry71]

Remember, the flow you see now is only half; the other half is diverted into a hydroelectric plant

[@marklittle8805]

@@kevinbarry71less for sure during the night. They take less during the day. Also some water gets down the Escarpment though the Welland Canal

[@zGJungle]

It is not confirmed that there was an ice dam, it's just a theory made to make sense of the situation.

[@ginog5037]

Excellent video really enjoyed it. The falls today is mere 22-25% flow rate due to the diversion of hydro electric and industry. It must of been something to see the Falls at 100% in the day...

[@mauricedavis2160]

Great observation!!!🙏👍🦉❣️

[@ginog5037]

@T.J. Kong True, but in grand scale of millions of years does it really matter. One day a year they should let it run free that would be a site...

[@carlablair9898]

One of the disappointments of my life was going to see Shoshone Falls, advertised as the Niagara of the West. It was a mere trickle, which aggravated me no end, because I knew I would never be able to go back to Idaho (I'm from South Carolina). It had been diverted for irrigation, which I guess I shouldn't be mad about, but I was really looking forward to a huge waterfall. I did manage to take a really nice picture looking downstream, though.

[@mauricedavis2160]

@@carlablair9898 How disappointing, that just, excuse the language, sucks!!!🙏🦉❣️

[@Trebuchet48]

@@carlablair9898 That happened to me as well. And we had to pay to get in!

[@iii9266]

You should do a history story/lesson on the ancient ice age story of Dry Falls in central Washington. It is 5x higher and 7x wider than Niagra Falls. During the sudden break of the high ice age damn in Montana, multiple times, this fall actually ran LEVEL for weeks at a time and carried boulders the size of homes, that were deposited along the upper ramparts still viewable today.

[@ronalddevine9587]

Thanks for the history lesson. I've been to the falls a few times. Absolutely breathtaking. The shaking of the ground up through your feet is something that stays with you. Even the color of the water is unique.

[@ronjones-6977]

I've seen seven of the top ten natural wonders in the US. Niagra, Acadia National Park, and Denali are still waiting for me. What a gorgeous country.

[@FastEddy396]

Your scripting of these posts is absolutely fantastic. Your delivery is outstanding.

[@OrangeTabbyCat]

I find it spoke way too fast and way too theatrically. Too much drama in the delivery.

[@ronjones-6977]

@@OrangeTabbyCat People like dogs more than cats.

[@alberttross175]

In 1969 we visited the falls while the American side was shut off. One of my enduring memories of that trip is walking on the dry riverbed, not something a lot of 10 year olds got to do. I had never heard that it had unexpectedly run dry once before.

[@charlesenfield2192]

I've never heard about this before, but it's another data point to validate my bar trivia strategy. If there's ever a history question which requires the year in which some strange event occurred, I go with 1848.

[@MrMenefrego1]

This reminds me of my late father ... When I was a boy, my dream was to visit the glorious Niagara Falls, and I'd ask my father to take me to the point of causing him extreme vexation. One day I asked my father to take me to the falls just one too many times; it was in 1969 when the falls were 'closed for repairs'; he told me quite a story; "Son, I'm afraid I have some bad news for you. Last week they were forced to shut down Niagra Falls for repairs. Then, when they examined the supporting rocks beneath the falls, they discovered that they were far too weak to support them any longer, son, they were forced to shut the falls down forever." 😲 Yes, my father was a bit of a stinker. The good news is he did eventually take the whole family to see Niagra Falls; it was well worth the wait; what a majestic spectacle! Long before his death, I once joked that when my father passed away, instead of the usual name, date, and short comment, I was going to have the engravers write: "Closed For Repairs" on his headstone.

[@Seeker0fTruth]

My father told me a similar story…and makes fun of my gullibility to this day 🙄 when we traveled to the falls we arrived at dusk and he said to all of us, “We’d better try to go get a look before they turn off the falls for the day!” …implying that they would be turned off after dark. I was genuinely concerned and wanted to go there right away. I was a child at the time and thought my father was the smartest man alive so of course I believed him. No longer. He repeatedly broke trust with me and his “jokes” were often at my expense. I digress. Your situation sounds far more light hearted. I’ve always loved nature and water is both soothing and unimaginably powerful. Something to be enjoyed while also being respected. The video title brought me back to that memory and your story as well. Thanks for sharing! If you visit Niagara…just remember…to have a nice trip…and I’ll see you next Falls. 😉

[@MrMenefrego1]

@@Seeker0fTruth I may have made the situation seem lighthearted, but my father was more than just a "stinker." Allow me to list just a few of the dreadful things my father did: When I was a toddler and was naughty, he, my older sister, and my mother would gang-beat me; and when I fell from their blows, they would kick me bloody. If I did something they disliked that didn't require a gang-beating, my parents would tie me to a chair in our dark basement and leave me there until they believed I had learned my lesson. I can't even begin to estimate the money he stole from me. I foolishly worked for him selling medical equipment in the 80s, one day the president of the company stopped by for a chat; since I was the number one salesman (by far!), he asked me what I did with the 1,500 dollars commission I got from every unit sale; I couldn't help myself I was so shocked that I blurted out "Fifteen hundred dollars, WHAT THE F%$K!?"; I was supposed to get more than twice that. I promptly quit; dear old Dad never did return the thousands of dollars he stole from me. The sickening part of his thievery at the time was that my wife and I had a newborn baby, and money was tight, to say the least. I've tried to forgive him, but I can't achieve that goal. There are innumerable additional instances I could list, but you get the idea. Are those the types of things your father did to you?

[@Seeker0fTruth]

@@MrMenefrego1 He did far less and I’m in therapy for it and have found a kind of acceptance but not yet forgiveness as he is the same person he always was and it’s taken me a lifetime to find out who I am…which hardly resembles the person he made me out to be. I’m sorry you went through such abuse. It really changes a person…or at least what they think of themselves and how they view the world. I hope you’ve come to a new understanding about yourself and about him. As a parent now myself, I can’t imagine inflicting upon my own children even a sliver of the pain and confusion he generously heaped upon me. I’m thankful for that. Be well. And take care of yourself.

[@MrMenefrego1]

@@Seeker0fTruth You're right; it does affect a person; I'm one messed up human being!

[@Seeker0fTruth]

@@MrMenefrego1 I’d be willing to bet good money that you’re far less messed up than you believe yourself to be…and certainly FAR less messed up than the person who contributed his genetic material that brought you into this world. I say that as a frame of reference…but the truth is: you need not compare. You are who you are and you’ve had the experiences that you’ve had. But we are adults now and this life (or what’s left of it) is ours for the taking. It won’t be easy one way or the other…but maybe we can try to finally LIVE in our lives…in a way that actually makes sense to us. Maybe we can try to quiet the noise of the “shoulds” and the “ought tos” and see if we can hear our own still small voice of our own intuition…guiding us in the way that we might go. There is more life to be lived. All is not lost. So much has yet to unfold. Stay curious, my friend. And nurture your compassion for others but most of all for your SELF. I’m on a road of healing and I can see that, while often terrifying and so so challenging…things are starting to pay off. The truth is love really is the answer. And we must start with learning (or at least WANTING to learn) how to love ourselves…that way we really know what we mean when we demonstrate love for others. I wish you all the best and thank you again for sharing your story. 🩵

[@josephterranova4855]

One way to appreciate the huge scope of the ice dam that blocked the Niagara River [not really a "river" but a strait] is to cross the Peace Bridge spanning the river between Buffalo and Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada. You can walk, bike, or drive across it and the view steals your eyes from the traffic in front of you. As was noted in HG's story, today an "ice boom" strung by the Army Corps holds back the Lake Erie ice until the boom is removed. A local spectacle is to be along the river or at the Falls when the ice travels downriver to its final destination in Lake Ontario.

[@FlexibleFlyer50]

The family visited Niagra Falls when I was about 12 years old. My brothers loved it----the three wanted to get barrels and plummet over the falls----just to see what it would be like. My mother was so upset by their trying to get close to the water in any way possible that she decided we were going home----after a 10 hr. ride to get to the falls.

[@DukeCannon]

Might have saved their lives. Kids aren't too bright on stuff like that. I know, I did dumb stuff pretty regular age 10.

[@flashgordon99999]

LOL in that, relatively short 30 hr period, people managed to setup tourist stands, blow up obstacles and march across, but no one thought to take a bloody picture! Crazy stuff.

[@lesleyb5591]

I think photography was in it's infancy then and your average person would not have owned a camera.

[@central3425]

Yeah, cameras were hard to come by and considering word travelled slower in those days by time non locals heard about it, it was too late.

[@dr.ofdubiouswisdom4189]

I went - reluctantly - (because I thought it ridiculous) on the 'Maid of the Mist' tour boat, and...WOW! Was I wrong. Being in the midst of the sheer scope of immense columns of thunderous waters - is right in your face. Majestic. Do it.

[@tedthesailor172]

I visited about 30 years ago. What struck me most was that every possible opportunity had been exploited for squeezing dollars out of visitors' pockets. A lot of water was surely going over the fall, but after a couple of snaps I couldn't get away fast enough, thoroughly ashamed of my mercenary species, and surely a symptom of how every wonderful natural event would ultimately come to be interpreted in the milking of tourist cattle...

[@AlphaGeekgirl]

If that was 30 years ago, imagine how much worse it is today!

[@stevedietrich8936]

Great collection of old photographs and drawings. I visited there in 2014 and was impressed.

[@EDKguy]

I lived in the area for 30 years an never heard that story. You deserve a cookie.

[@reluctantfire4772]

i used to be security at the "maid of the mist" on the canadian side and its always quite the sight and such a cool experience i would recommend doing the boat ride, but if your just doing the boat ride it doesnt matter which country you do it on their both the same and their schedules are together, but if you dont wanna get a little wet and wanna stand and take pics canadas side is the way to go you wont get as beautiful pics from the american side.

[@davidfulton179]

Lance is like a non-preachy Paul Harvey. What a welcomed voice!

[@Seeker0fTruth]

Hey!!! You’re right!!! Enjoyed Paul Harvey: The sing song of both narrations make for great storytelling.

[@mikegander305]

I just live up river, I used to ride a bicycle to the falls with my daughter when she was a child. I’d explain to her that people came from all over the world to see this, while locals may go their entire life without. I think we’re due for a bike ride again, thanks to you I have a new story for the ride!

[@miket2120]

I find it amazing how the lack of something, sound, can be so profound. We live in a world where there is no silence: something is always making sound. When the power goes out late at night, I will often awake to it. There is a little "thunk" sound and the room is a little darker (I have blackout drapes thanks to the over generous yard security lights). Sounds that I normally would hear like the fan or refrigerator motor are gone. So too are the tiny things, like the normally inaudible buzz from cell phone chargers or the power supply from a sleeping computer. It is, for a few glorious minutes, both dark and quiet.

[@p.s.anders]

As a former resident of the city on the CDN side. The roar, the sound the falls makes, carries for quite a distance down River. The Niagara gorge channels the sound. That sound never stops. 24/7. Now, the Hydro companies control flow of water.

[@alexisstarsmith1477]

Again I state ~ your unique story telling of history with a full bucket of nuance's done so eloquently spoken with an enchanting & soothing voice! You are history in the making as Paul Harvey! So speak of Paul, please do an episode on the life of Paul Harvey in honor ❤

[@wisecoconut5]

It's not even 6 a.m. here. You have to get up extra early to beat the History Guy! Great episode too.

[@robertpearson8798]

I remember reading about this in some detail in the Pierre Berton book “Niagara”. I also remember my parents taking us there in 1969 from Hamilton to see the dry American Falls.

[@charlesdudek7713]

I remember when I was about 13 visiting Niagara Falls when it had been "turned off" to allow for some anti-errosion work to be done. It looked pretty cool. That was somewhere around 1970.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

It was in June 1969

[@charlesdudek7713]

​@@TheHistoryGuyChannel👍 Thanks! Excellent episode as usual. Ah yes, I see now you covered that at the end.

[@marklittle8805]

It was the American channel that was blocked off by the US Army Corps of Engineers. It won't happen again, they realised they can't "fix" the debris field on the American side.

[@teemusid]

My family went there for the first time when it was dry. We came back the next summer.

[@rayreece2617]

​@@charlesdudek7713😂

[@royurick]

You should do a story about when the wind blew the other direction and caused havoc on Lake Erie again in 1972. There was a nor'easter that blew for nearly a month to the west, causing the water to "pile up" on the west end of lake Erie, which flooded Pelee Island for 40 days, and created Lake Henry on the north end of the island.

[@itzcaseykc]

This is the very first time I've heard of this ever happening, and I live in NY State. Truly incredible events.

[@boredgrass]

What I love most about this story is the lack of photographic evidence! We have to trust the words of others; have to think carefully about what we are told.

[@warrenscorner]

Having grown up near Buffalo I am aware of the Falls stoppage in 1969 but I did not know of this ice blockage. We look forward to the ice boom removal every year. This of course means that there are no longer huge icebergs to block the water intakes of the Niagara Power Authority and a warmer southwesterly wind.

[@WestPacWx]

I grew up near Buffalo and never heard of this. I love these bits of history that deserve to be remembered. Thank you for sharing.

[@seanremington5823]

I grew up in WNY and have visited "the Falls" several times but I just learned more history about the Falls from your video than I knew before. Thank you.

[@David-pd8li]

It would have been interesting to conduct a survey and interview the oldest native Americans amongst the local tribes to see if a similar situation was remembered by them. Europeans had not been in the area too long before that occurrence. If it happened once it might have happened before at some point. The Algonquin people used "wampum belts" to record their history and it might have been recorded in them. Many wampum weavings are kept by tribal elders as sacred objects and I imagine there are some that have never been seen or studied by white people and they might hold answers to these questions. Wonderful video, Lance. Thank you for all you do in educating us and opening our eyes to the spectacular history of this amazing country. You're the best!

[@edwardparkhurst9804]

One thing for sure...you never stop learning if you watch thg videos. Thanks Sir for sharing this with us that watch your channel. Outstanding content.

[@josephpullen1153]

Right here in my backyard, of course only about 25-30% runs over the rocks now in days, most of the water is diverted for hydro power production. The magnitude of what the Falls was when the early settlers seen it was quite intimidating I am sure, although it’s still a sight to see. I use to work at the Maid of the Mist for over 10 years.

[@johnwatson3948]

In 1848 early daguerreotype photography had only been in the US for nine years - while this event would presumably attract photographers one history notes it was mainly used for portraits: “the daguerreotype’s singularity coupled with its small size and surface glare made it ill-suited for the documentation of places and events”. Also one might guess there were few photographers in the area or could get there in time.

[@karldavis7392]

I have to love the "watts per second" calculation of electric generation capacity. I'm pretty sure they just mean normal watts, because the "per second" part would give it the dimensions of acceleration.

[@mikewithers299]

I always learn something new watching your channel Lance. I was born in upstate NY and never remember hearing of this event. Possibly because nobody makes history so memorable as you so eloquently do

[@ExploreNiagaraUSA]

We're so glad that you were inspired to highlight or hometown! We hope that you've enjoyed diving into the rich history here in the falls!

[@garydesgres1382]

I have been there hundreds of times as a tour bus driver. It really was ruined by the casinos.

[@michaelmcchesney6645]

Have you ever done a video about the craze of going over Niagara Falls in a barrel? I used to hear about that all the time when I was a kid. I seem to remember seeing a few cartoons that depicted that.

[@echodelta9]

Seen some of those back in 1960 in the museum that was there. Scary!

[@mattsmith5421]

I've seen a long one on here about the people that have done it and survived and those that didn't(nutters) thinking about it now it might of been the whole history of the falls because I've just remembered a part about tourists at the bottom of the falls getting in trouble too.

[@brianpesci]

I only ever heard of this thanks to having our 8th grade class trip to the Falls in June 68 while getting a tour of the Robert Moses Power Project. We often get affected by seiches which can alter the flow of the river to either side, Fort Erie or Buffalo. Many around here claim that we should be considered the "Windy city"! Excellent episode!

[@Aramis419]

What's that line from Les Miserables? "Noise does not wake a drunkard, but silence arouses him" - it's like, "Uh-oh. This can't be good. Something's up."

[@romeogolf4]

Love it! Keep up the good work

[@stewartgibson3843]

As always enjoyable and informative. What I like about your channel is how you always tell it through the stories from the time. You don't repeat facts so much as you repeat the experience which takes the viewer to the event which is far more memorable than a history lesson.

[@arcraventree]

Not only did my parents honeymoon at Niagara Falls, they did so in February. 😅😅 It’s also the first place I took a road-trip to after getting my drivers license. I love visiting there and nearby Forts George and Niagara. I never get tired of the roar of those falls.

[@cahg3871]

I live close to the falls,its a beautiful place to picnic in the summer.The roar of the water reminds you just how powerful the flow of water is.

[@defeatSpace]

I agree with Dickens, after seeing the falls as a kid, a primary experience is overwhelming peace.

[@tygrkhat4087]

30 years ago, I worked at what was then the only Motel 6 in Western New York. The two most frequently asked questions were, "Do you have any rooms?," and "How do I get to Niagara Falls?" We had photocopied directions to the Falls and many people returned from their trip praising the accuracy of the directions.

[@tygrkhat4087]

@@My_Fair_Lady What?

[@tygrkhat4087]

@@My_Fair_Lady No, I'm not. I don't care if you don't believe me, I know the truth.

[@tygrkhat4087]

@@My_Fair_Lady No, I'm not. I don't understand why you think I'm lying about this.

[@tygrkhat4087]

@@My_Fair_Lady How so?

[@tygrkhat4087]

@@My_Fair_Lady Explain what? How you don't beleive that the only Motel 6 within 200+ miles of Niagara Falls wouldn't have printed out directions to the Falls? How such a motel catered to people from all over the world, many of whom came to this region just to see the Falls? Or said people would actually ask for directions? Stop trolling me.

[@pierremainstone-mitchell8290]

A remarkable story very well told indeed Lance!

[@maryberry6067]

I grow up in western NY. My parents honeymoon at Niagara Falls . I have been there once,it is awesome. Thank for the history, believe it's the first time I heard this , very interesting nature.

[@BigElCat]

It's amazing that people where ready to capitalize on the situation on such short notice. 'Lets haul those rocks and logs out, today'. No fear that a wave might be coming down the riverbed at any time.

[@keithtorgersen9664]

@BigElCat, that was my thought about all the people running around, riding horses up the riverbed, those guys who drove the dune buggy.

[@AaronOfMpls]

Yah, I've read of ice dams and floods on rivers before, so I'd likely be staying the heck off that riverbed!

[@JS-ed2hg]

This guy does an excellent job, he needs his own TV show.

[@geraldtrudeau3223]

I love the fact that you can take a subject that I would normally not be interested in, and just through the power of your narration, you have me riveted to my screen. God bless The History Guy.

[@paladinhill]

One of your best videos. Thanks!!

[@crowonawirehome]

I’ve read a similar ice damn blocked Hudson Bay, way back in history, disturbing ocean currents enough to cause huge forest fires in Europe.

[@-jeff-]

Talk about something being conspicuous by it's absence! Thanks THG for proving this point.

[@carlmattison8035]

Thank you for this episode. Absolutely amazing event. Amazing what nature can achieve!

[@claytonbouldin9381]

I live a couple hours drive from the Falls and enjoy it every time. Last time I went it was pouring rain so I was a bit disappointed with the weather. About an hour later all the water that fell during the rain storm drained into the river, which fell over the Falls, which in turn made for a very beautiful site watching the Falls bursting at the seams with the water going over the edge. It is really an amazing site to behold!

[@zwood1838]

That was an excellent video! I’ve been to the falls a couple times as a child/teen it was always super cool.

[@crustyrash]

Excellent piece!! I grew up in NF and when I saw the title of the video I thought you were referring to the Corps of Engineer's dam in the 1960's.

[@gadjet7]

Thank you really enjoyed this!!!

[@BasicDrumming]

I appreciate you, thank you for making content.

[@Delekhan]

Amazing! Thank you sir! Very much so enjoyed this video...

[@joegordon5117]

The waterfalls stopping at Niagra gives new meaning to the old drink name, "Canada Dry"!!

[@elcastorgrande]

Great research, great presentation.

[@danam0228]

The history guy is making history by doing so many great history videos for so long

[@pleasureincontempt3645]

Neat video! I live about 2.5 hours away from the falls; The touristy traps left a sour taste in my mouth until the Butterfly Conservatory. It became the absolute highlight of my trip on the Canadian side.

[@williamwilliams7706]

Thanks. You make a great story teller.

[@lorijudd2151]

Your delivery and cadence are a pleasant addition to any day, sir.

[@BenjySparky]

THG you rock! I wish I'd had you as a history teacher! Peace

[@littlespinycactus]

Fascinating! Sixteen minutes well spent.

[@almarsh4934]

Great Documentary,Appreciate it Niagara Resident

[@paulkolodner2445]

The phrase "2881.2 million Watts of power per second" has the same confused meaning as "45 miles per hour per day" or "45 Amps per second".

[@janeyockey3660]

This was so illuminating...wonder of wonders. Loved it.

[@AndersJensenTH]

Learned so much today. Thank you 😃

[@bobbya557]

Great video, fascinating topic.

[@usedcarsokinawa]

I visited with my wife and oldest. Couldn’t sleep for the 3 day visit. The rumble was so loud! We were about 3 blocks away. Pretty amazing.

[@adreabrooks11]

I grew up within walking distance from the Niagara River, and an ambitious bike ride from the falls (Ontario side). Your description of the ice dam letting go painted a rather vivid picture in my mind of what would happen if such a thing occurred today. The Peace Bridge is relatively high and sturdy (indeed, it survived a barge being wedged against it by the current - perhaps a topic for another video), but the Fort Erie railroad bridge is a lower, older affair that would likely take heavy blows from that sort of localized tsunami - to say nothing of all the riverfront property along the Niagara's course. As wondrous as this was, it's definitely a good thing that the ice boom is in place now. On an unrelated note: the stoppage of Niagara Falls has led to a sort of local "snipe hunt" conducted upon tourists. Young wags (and maybe a few old ones) will chat to visitors and, in the course of conversation, inform them of the "fact" that "they" (whoever "they" are) turn the Falls off on a regular basis - usually at some ungodly hour of the morning. Often, this is done in a place with an old monochrome photo such as some of the ones you showed in the video, or or people standing on the ice above the precipice in winter (in tones of sepia, it's hard to tell ice from dry riverbed). The tourists then go off in eager anticipation, and the scamps chuckle at their prank. I've always suspected that it's because, after a life of living within easy viewing distance, the "awe inspiring" sight of the torrent becomes a bit less lustrous. These pranksters see the wonder in the eyes of visitors and, jealous, decide to steal some thunder from Mother Nature.

[@Pygar2]

"Niagara Falls! Slowly I turned...!"

[@lightningdemolition1964]

Step by step

[@georgeford3687]

I miss the day of History and Discovery running programs like this, thank you.

[@dmorgan28]

That is so unbelievable. It’s awesome. Thanks for reporting on it. ❤️👍

[@paulcox2009]

I never knew that happened. What an awesome video. Thanks homework guy!

[@sonjab6127]

thank you for creating this video. And it brought your channel to my attention. I look forward to watching more! I grew up in Niagara Falls Canada and did not know about this important piece of history. But I did get to see the American Falls shut down while the Horseshoe Falls still flowed, in 1969. I was a child when the US Army Corps dammed one side of the Niagara River and stopped the American falls so they could try to figure out how to stop it from receding into rapids some day.

[@brandonclark435]

Niagara Falls! Slowly I turned!

[@scottschenk5456]

Step by step, inch by inch!

[@brianpack5479]

Step by step...

[@scottschenk5456]

The Best Three Stooges reference!

[@CheshireTomcat68]

Now we need a definitive video on all the people who have gone 'over the falls' as Primus put it.

[@nik65stgt60]

Great content!

[@danseeloff867]

I've lived here all my life & never heard about this, I thought this video was going to be about them diverting it in the 60's to clear rocks. Very cool. 👍

[@BrilliantDesignOnline]

THG is awesome; a force of nature and history in and of himself.