Face Lifting for Niagara

Honeymooners who take time to gaze at Niagara Falls seldom find cause for complaint, but a joint U.S.-Canadian commission of experts does.

At present, water roars over the falls at 200,000 cubic feet a second, constantly eroding the crest of the falls. Because the water rushes over the jagged crest in uneven quantities (most of it on the Canadian side), it appears in varying shades of green, unattractive to purists.

After 30 months of study, the commission last week produced a plan to 1) fight erosion and beautify the falls, 2) make them produce more electric power. The scheme calls for underwater gates, a mile above the falls, which will provide an even flow and will enable engineers to slow down the water. If the project is approved by the U.S. Congress and Canada's Parliament, Niagara will run full blast from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. during the tourist season. At night it will be slowed to half speed, with hydroelectric plants harnessing the excess water. Result: the steady erosion of the falls' crests will slow down, and the water will be a uniform aquamarine. Cost: $17,536,000.

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