Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 71, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 December 1912 — NIAGARA FALLS ONCE DRY [ARTICLE]

NIAGARA FALLS ONCE DRY

Occasion When Ice Was Too Much for Even the Vast Flood That Pours Over Ridge.

Only once in history has the roar of the mighty falls of Niagara been silenced. This startling phenomenon occurred on March 31, 1848. Early on that morning people living near the falls were surprised by a strange hush, as startling in effect as would be an unexpected and tremendous explosion in an ordinarily quiet com-

munity. Many persons thought they had been afflicted with deafness, and all were oppressed by a sensation of dread. ’ With the coming of light the amazed people comprehended the reason for the disquieting silence. Where they were used to see the great fall was a bare precipice down the face of which a few small and constantly diminishing streams trickled. Above the falls, Instead of a rushing river, was only a naked channel, with insignificant brooks splashing among the rocks. All day long this astounding condition continued, and persons walked, dryshod, from the Canadian side, along the very edge of the precipice, as' far as Goat island, on the American side.

Early in the morning of April 1, the familiar thunder of the great cataract was again heard, and has never since been silent, though similar conditions, with like results, might prevail any spring. The winter of 1847-48 was one of extreme severity, and ice of unprecedented thickness formed on Lake Erie. When the break-up came, toward the end of March, a strong southeast wind was blowing, and the Ice was piled Into banks as large as icebergs. Toward the night of March 30 the wind suddenly changed to the opposite direction, increased to a terrific gale, and drove the ice into the entrance of Niagara river with such force that a huge dam was formed, of such thickness and solidity as to be practically impenetrable, and strong enough to hold back the great mass of water pressing against it. At last, in the early morning of April 1, the Ice dam gave way under the tremendous pressure of restrained water, and the falls Were once again one of the scenic wonders of the world.