Concerned Residents
In 1965, New Yorkers were concerned that the natural miracle on their side of the border had begun to lose its charm. A growing deposit of talus—the rock that accumulates at the base of a waterfall—was of particular concern. Apparently, the talus prevented the water from flowing down. According to others, it affected the aesthetic appeal of the American Falls.
On January 31, 1965, an article on that matter appeared on the front cover of the Niagara Falls Gazette. In the article, local journalist Cliff Spieler argued that continued erosion could eventually wipe out the American Falls completely. Shortly after, a campaign to save the waterfall began, while also putting pressure on the government.