New York wants to turn off Niagara Falls

New York officials are considering shutting down the water flowing over one section of Niagara Falls while it replaces two 115-year-old pedestrian bridges.

This week, staff at New York State Parks are discussing plans to replace the bridges built in 1901 that allow tourists access to two small islands near the waterfalls.

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If the proposed plan is passed, the American side of Niagara Falls will be turned dry.

According to CBC, a state-issued design report read: "Dewatering is expected initially (to) be a tourism draw (a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the falls and river channel without water)."

But it acknowledged that the novelty could wear off and affect park attendance.

It would mean the American ad Bridal Veil Falls are switched off for five months, from August to December.

A second construction plan would see a nine-month dry spell from April to December.

Discovery News reports that the original bridges are too damaged to be restored and must be replaced.

The American side of Niagara Falls was last dewatered in 1969 when U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducted a study of erosion.

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