The Rare Footage From 1969 That Shows Niagara Falls Near Buffalo Like You've Never Seen It
By Lea Monroe|Published March 18, 2020
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Lea Monroe
Author
Writer for Only In Your State. Scribbling about all things New York and Buffalo related while also keeping you updated on the latest travel news! Inquiries: Lmonroe@onlyinyourstate.com
All throughout the year here in Western New York, Buffalonians can find our landscapes and natural wonders drastically changing as the seasons go by. While you may be used to seeing our local waterfalls go from frozen over to flowing freely once things warm up, there’s one major waterfall that you may have never seen quite like this before. If you’re ready to go on a trip back through time, then it’s time you get a look at these photos and video footage from Niagara Falls during 1969.
Only 20 miles north of the heart of Buffalo, our residents are more than familiar with the views of Niagara Falls State Park — but have you ever seen what the falls look like when they're completely dry?
After the United States Army built a dam that would essentially "turn off" the American Falls, areas of the Niagara River and its small island near the top of the falls ran dry.
To those who weren't around during 1969 in Western New York, the reason that this major transformation of the falls took place was due to the fact that a problematic amount of rocks were building up at the base of the falls.
With construction vehicles all around the top of the falls making for an unusual sight to be seen, rocks were removed from the base of the falls as well as all sorts of useful information about the American Falls that was collected along the way.
Taking quite a few months to complete, it's hard to imagine that New York State's most powerful waterfall once ran dry for so long! Do you remember when this happened?
If you have your own pictures from when the falls looked like this during 1969 and remember what it was like, be sure to share your memories with us in our comments section!
To get an even greater picture of just how drastic “Dryagra Falls” looked back in 1969, be sure to also check out the footage below!