ebinmaine 70,968 #1 Posted January 2 OK OK.... not recently! But it DID happen. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maxwell-8 4,366 #2 Posted January 2 I am studying for my exams Electro mechanics. Just came across the Niagara falls in a lecture. As the hydro dam used the first transformer that could transform 2 fase in to 3 fase power. The Scott-T transformer. 1896. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 13,397 #3 Posted January 2 While in my teens and living only about an hour away, I visited the Falls many times. When the American Falls were temporarily dammed off in 1969 so that they could be inspected for erosion and stabilization, I was able to walk (along with hundreds of others) on the dry riverbed. We were permitted to get to within about 100 ft of the lip and it was an awesome experience. During one winter, my girlfriend (now wife) and I went out onto Goat Island and walked toward the chasm. As we got closer we realized that underfoot was deep ice built up from the rising and swirling mist and we could hear but not see ahead to the falls. Then we noticed a row metal posts across our path sticking 3 or so inches out of the ice and realized they were the tops of the safety fence now fully buried in the ice. Invisible in the mist, the lip of the island was probably only a few feet further--we backed up carefully! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 13,397 #4 Posted January 2 (edited) 10 minutes ago, Maxwell-8 said: I am studying for my exams Electro mechanics. Just came across the Niagara falls in a lecture. As the hydro dam used the first transformer that could transform 2 fase in to 3 fase power. The Scott-T transformer. 1896. Plan a visit! Both the U.S. and Canadian power plants offer tours that are well worth the time. There is also a pumped storage system on the U.S. side made more efficient because the intakes are in the river above the falls but the outflow/turbines are below. Edited January 2 by Handy Don Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maxwell-8 4,366 #5 Posted January 2 2 hours ago, Handy Don said: pumped storage system Yes, to store energy during the night an releasing it at day when more power is needed. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 40,656 #6 Posted January 2 2 hours ago, Handy Don said: Plan a visit! Both the U.S. and Canadian power plants offer tours that are well worth the time. There is also a pumped storage system on the U.S. side made more efficient because the intakes are in the river above the falls but the outflow/turbines are below. Yes, @Maxwell-8, do plan a visit to Niagara Falls ....and the Big Wheel Horse show. During my 45 years with Allis Chalmers Hydro and then Voith Hydro, I have built and tested the scale models for the rehab and development of nearly all the hydro turbines in North America and many others around the world. This includes the three Niagara power stations Robert Moses, Sir Adam Beck, and the Lewiston Pumped storage plant. Many of these model tests were in competition with other manufacturers. The model tests were used to develop maximum efficiency, HP, cavitation resistance, corrosion and erosion resistance, minimize wicket gate and blade torques and axial thrust. The results of these tests were used to determine which manufacturer was awarded the contract for the full size turbines. In my later years many hours were spent developing ways to help the spawning fish. This included testing fish ladders, fish screens, bypass systems, oxygen injection systems on Francis turbines, and blade shape and gap closures on Kaplan turbines. After completion of the model tests, I used the actual bronze model turbine to make a display that was presented to the customer. Many of these are on display at the plant visitor centers. Here is a picture of the Robert Moses model turbine that hung in my office till retirement and is now hanging in my barn. This should be on display at the Robert Moses Power Station. 1 3 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 42,735 #7 Posted January 2 My son works as a tour guide in the NYS park as a summer job. If the tours and tips were as numerous and bountiful during the fall ,winter and spring as the summer, he would quit his teaching job and also afford Bills season tickets! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 40,656 #8 Posted January 3 Nikola Tesla's invention of alternating current made it possible. https://www.niagaraaction.com/tesla-s-hydroelectric-vision-how-niagara-falls-became-new-york-s-powerhouse 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 50,829 #9 Posted January 3 Did you know the west end of Niagara falls is in Wisconsin. I grew up hunting on "The Ledge" and went to St. Mary Springs for one year. Got kicked out for truancy and when they figured out I was a recovering Catholic...not suited as a scholar but a motor head anyway ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niagara_Escarpment#External_links From that article. The Niagara Escarpment is a prominent Wisconsin feature in Dodge County, southwest of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; it is known there as "The Ledge" and is in Ledge County Park between Horicon and Mayville, Wisconsin.[7] Some local organizations take their name from it, including The Ledgers, the sports teams at St. Mary's Springs Academy, which is perched on the side of the escarpment. 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Streetrodchev 867 #10 Posted January 4 On 1/3/2025 at 8:59 AM, WHX?? said: Did you know the west end of Niagara falls is in Wisconsin. I grew up hunting on "The Ledge" and went to St. Mary Springs for one year. Got kicked out for truancy and when they figured out I was a recovering Catholic...not suited as a scholar but a motor head anyway ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niagara_Escarpment#External_links From that article. The Niagara Escarpment is a prominent Wisconsin feature in Dodge County, southwest of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; it is known there as "The Ledge" and is in Ledge County Park between Horicon and Mayville, Wisconsin.[7] Some local organizations take their name from it, including The Ledgers, the sports teams at St. Mary's Springs Academy, which is perched on the side of the escarpment. I live just 8 miles away from Ledge Park, even been there on a tractor ride. The actual ledge is hidden behind the trees. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 27,674 #11 Posted January 4 I spent many years climbing the Niagara Escarpment just west of Toronto in Milton Ontario. Rattlesnake Point. After loftier endeavors in the Tetons and Alaska... I don't know about much, but I know there ain't no Niagara Falls in Cheeseland @WHX??... Practicing rescue techniques circa 1988 - Niagara Escarpment - Rattlesnake Point Ontario. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 50,829 #12 Posted January 5 2 hours ago, SylvanLakeWH said: there ain't no Niagara Falls in Cheeseland Ther is if I spill my beer ... 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
