In 1969, the American Falls of Niagara were shut off completely as engineers studied the rock collapses that had led to concerns about the falls crumbling. This was not the first attempt to “fix” Niagara Falls, as engineers have been working to balance the goals of harnessing power and maintaining natural beauty for over a century. Today, most of the Niagara River runs beneath the falls to hydroelectric plants, raising the question of whether the falls can still be considered a “natural” wonder. However, the engineering of the falls has sparked controversy and reinforced a divide between technology and nature that may hinder our understanding of our place in the world. The author argues that we should see technology and nature as cooperating rather than separate entities.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/niagara-american-falls-shut-turn-off-dewater-1969