Natural Wonder of the World or Fantastic Facade?
The Seven Natural Wonders organization was founded in 2008 to protect and promote the natural wonders of the world. Can you name the 7 natural wonders? If you said Aurora Borealis, Harbor of Rio de Janeiro, Grand Canyon, Great Barrier Reef, Mount Everest, Victoria Falls, and Paricutin Mexico you would be correct! An on-line poll was conducted to determine what would be the 8th Natural Wonder – what would you choose? The popular choice was…drum-roll please…Niagara Falls.
QUESTION: Is Niagara Falls a Natural Wonder of the World or a Fantastic Facade?
Niagara Falls is a fantastic geological feature that draws visitors from across the globe. The Niagara Escarpment was formed by the shifting of ice sheets thousands of years ago. The Niagara River connected Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, that were formed by melting ice, and the mighty Niagara Falls was created.
At the turn of the 20th century, Nikola Tesla looked past the majesty of Niagara Falls and conceived of a source of electric energy to serve the electricity demands of a growing country, which ushered in the age of the electric light. You may be familiar with the Tesla vs Edison competition for electricity transmission, which Tesla won with his ‘alternating current’ (AC) approach which allowed electricity to be sent miles, as compared to the previous ‘direct current’ (DC) that would go less than 100 yards.
The resulting Schoellkopf Power Plant was considered the greatest hydroelectric power plant at the time and remained in operation until June 7, 1956! June 7, 1956 – the day western New York went dark! Water began seeping into the plant resulting in the plant’s flooding and collapse into the Niagara River.
The Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant was rapidly built which draws water from the Niagara River above the falls and returns the water to the Niagara River below the falls. You get the picture? The Niagara River can be totally diverted to and through the power plant, essentially drying up the mighty Niagara Falls. In fact, Niagara Falls was “shut off” in 1969 to allow removal of debris and eroded rocks. An agreement was struck on the amount of water that can be diverted to balance power generation and the wonder of Niagara Falls, essentially creating a fantastic facade!
Fantastic Facade
I see the Niagara Falls facade as an analogy of my life. I am a skilled mask wearer. On the outside all looks terrific – great marriage, family, and career. Smiling, jovial, and friendly. On the inside – a constant battle is brewing – urging me to live my true life, my best life. I DECLARE to you – I am taking off the mask and committing to live my best life. I DARE to ACT!
CHALLENGE: Are YOU living YOUR best life or are YOU hiding behind a Fantastic Façade? What are the masks you are wearing and what do YOU need to change to live YOUR best life?