Who:
Mike Stroh
Outings Leader, Niagara Group
Where:
Tonawanda, NY
A small group of us hiked along the rocky banks of the Niagara River, following the same path that Niagara Falls took as it eroded southward over the last 12,000 years. From the base of the gorge, surrounded by majestic 250-foot high walls, we watched in awe as thundering rapids carried hundreds of thousands of gallons of water past us every second.
We are alone in a serene natural wonder, just 2 miles downriver from the souvenir shops, tour buses and casinos of Niagara Falls. We discussed how water is diverted to hydroelectric plants on both the American and Canadian sides of the river, causing dramatic fluctuations in river levels daily and seasonally. It's hard to believe that we're currently witnessing only half of Niagara's true strength.
Does clean power justify such vast changes to an ecosystem? We considered the alternative, bearing in mind the harmful effects of fossil-fueled power plants and the untold risks of global warming. We wondered if any power source could satisfy our growing needs without a serious shift toward conservation.
As the day grew warmer and the sunshine more vibrant, we started our hike back out. We paused at the rim of the gorge for a view of the Robert Moses Power Plant. The plant has operated for 50 years and generates more electricity than any other power plant in New York State. It is a marvel of engineering and illustrates how the harnessed power of water can provide more electricity than coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear energy.
