SPOLIATION OF THE FALLS OF NIAGARA 



299 





Fig. 5. Map showing the Position of the fikst Cascade and the Basin 

 whose Level is now being lowered by the Power Companies. 



The effect of this is to extend forward the rock rim of the basin. Be- 

 hind this wall, they removed the rock floor, in some places to a depth 

 of seven feet, so that there is now a general depth in their dam of some 

 six feet below the surface of the barrier, over which the water flows 

 as if naturally. By taking the water from the bottom of the dam, 

 while the river is still flowing over the top, the same effect is produced 

 as if it were taken by a tunnel from any part of the floor of the basin 

 of the Upper Eapids, and so increases the discharge from the basin. 



The franchise of the Ontario Power Company is about 12,000 cubic 

 feet per second, but works for only 4,000 cubic feet are completed. 

 Their franchise has not been restricted as have been those of the New 

 York Companies. The present amount of water due the New York 

 Companies, as restricted under the Burton Act, is 14,500 cubic feet 

 per second, although their franchises gave them 27,200 cubic feet per 

 second. 



These detailed accounts are given to show unequivocally, despite 

 assertions to the contrary made to me by Mr. George C. Gibbons, 

 chairman and legal representative of the Canadian section of the com- 

 mission, that not only the older New York Companies, but also the 

 Ontario Power Company (the other Canadian companies' works being 

 below the rapids) must lower the water in the basin above the Upper 

 Eapids. Indeed, Mr. Gibbons signs the report stating that if the water- 

 supply were taken from Chippawa Creek, Lake Erie would be lowered, 

 as the supply would come from back-water derived from Niagara Eiver. 

 This back-water would be flowing from the same basin which has been 



