I have yet to find anyone with accurate information on this photo.
It was taken in 1909, NOT 1911 and is one of the many ICE JAMS that can naturally occur in the area.
I live in Niagara Falls, and you can go to the public library and get this exact photo, in the local history books. It is dated 1909.
The falls has only ever once been recorded to have actually stopped flowing once.......and this was in 1848, and it was ALSO due to an ice jam. See the link below.
Noteworthy ice jams have been recorded for 1848, 1890, 1899, 1909, 1912, 1938, 1956. In 1848, with winds pushing Lake Erie waters westward and effectively lowering water levels at the east end, an ice jam built up in the river between Buffalo and Fort Erie. This ice jam acted as a dam, holding back the lake for a day, and as a consequence, dried up the Falls. (there are reports of individuals harvesting timber from the dried up river, undergoing construction, taking walks, etc.).
However, ICE BRIDGES have been naturally forming at the base of the falls for years. People were allowed to walk out on the ice bridges until 1912, when an ice bridge broke, causing the death of 3 people. They stopped allowing people from doing it at this time. See link below.
I have yet to find anyone with accurate information on this photo.
ReplyDeleteIt was taken in 1909, NOT 1911 and is one of the many ICE JAMS that can naturally occur in the area.
I live in Niagara Falls, and you can go to the public library and get this exact photo, in the local history books. It is dated 1909.
The falls has only ever once been recorded to have actually stopped flowing once.......and this was in 1848, and it was ALSO due to an ice jam. See the link below.
http://www.collectionscanada.ca/cool/002027-2203-e.html
Noteworthy ice jams have been recorded for 1848, 1890, 1899, 1909, 1912, 1938, 1956. In 1848, with winds pushing Lake Erie waters westward and effectively lowering water levels at the east end, an ice jam built up in the river between Buffalo and Fort Erie. This ice jam acted as a dam, holding back the lake for a day, and as a consequence, dried up the Falls. (there are reports of individuals harvesting timber from the dried up river, undergoing construction, taking walks, etc.).
However, ICE BRIDGES have been naturally forming at the base of the falls for years. People were allowed to walk out on the ice bridges until 1912, when an ice bridge broke, causing the death of 3 people. They stopped allowing people from doing it at this time. See link below.
http://www.nfpl.library.on.ca/stuntupload/winter_and_ice.htm
Karen.........from Niagara Falls Canada
Wow! Thanks for the info Karen, great job. :)
ReplyDeleteYes thanks we need more people to validate things like this.
ReplyDeletewow soo cool thanks for these pics!
ReplyDelete