Existing comment:
Terrapin Point (Cracks):
In the early 1970s, major cracks and unstable areas were discovered as few as 25 feet from the edge of Terrapin Point and marked this as the next possible site of a major rockfall.
After years of study, it was decided that some of the overhang should be removed and the remaining rock stabilized to save it from further deterioration.
In 1983, a series of closely timed blasts peeled away the tip of Terrapin Point in ten foot slabs which neatly dropped into a 25,000 ton pile of rock, rimming the pool below. As had been done in 1972 at Luna Island and at the Bridal Veil Falls, the remaining ledge was secured with rock bolts, cable tendons, and pressure relief holes.
As a result of the study of the American Falls in 1969, the International Joint Commission made a number of recommendations to the Canadian and United States governments.
It was decided that the overall guiding policy regarding the future of the American Falls should be to accept the process of change as a dynamic part of the natural conditions of the Falls, and that the process of erosion and recession should not be interrupted.
Removal of the rock debris at the base of the Falls was determined to be too expensive to show significant viewing improvement. It was recommended that Falls recession be allowed to continue, for it was too costly to stop and would essentially turn the American Falls into an artificial feature.
Other measures of artificially improving the appearance of the Falls, such as raising the water level below the Falls or diverting more water to the American Falls, were found to be possible but not desirable.
Finally, it was recommended that measures should be implemented for the safety of the viewing public. |