Invisible Infrastructure - Tailrace Tunnel
Photograph inside the Tailrace Tunnels at Niagara Falls outside Toronto. Courtesy of Vanishing Point.
At the border of two countries 10 stories underground, a photographer finds himself inside a 5 million horsepower machine - Niagara Falls.
Section drawing of the Tailrace Tunnels at the Niagara Falls outside Toronto. Courtesy of Vanishing Point.
Hydroelectric generating stations work by capturing the kinetic energy of falling water and converting it into mechanical energy using a turbine and then into electricity in a generator mounted at the other end of the turbine. At the beginning of the twentieth century, this technology had just begun to reach industrial maturity, and something of a race developed among competing private interests to capture the gravitational potential of the most spectacular water feature in Eastern North America, Niagara Falls.
One such group of investors formed the Ontario Power Company, laid great conduits beneath the land along the upper river, and took up residence on a thin strip of useable land in the gorge just downstream of the Falls. Water was piped from an inlet upriver of the falls and dropped through penstocks to the plant in the gorge where it spun turbines and was then returned immediately to the lower river just out in front of the plant.
The Toronto-based investors that formed the Electrical Development Company (which later became the Toronto Power Company), not having the benefit of such convenient real estate, had no choice but to pursue a different strategy: dig.
Photograph looking down the Tailrace Tunnels. Courtesy of Vanishing Point.
Photograph looking down the Tailrace Tunnels. Courtesy of Vanishing Point.
I’ve never felt deeper and more completely embraced by the earth around me than I did when I got the chance to enter the tailrace and push through rising waters to stand in Niagara’s secret mists.
Photograph looking out the Tailrace Tunnels through Niagara Falls. Courtesy of Vanishing Point.
I don’t think there is much need for input here. The rawness of the tunnels illicited by these photos speaks to each of us in a different way. I have always seen a beauty in infrastructure, but the colors in these photographs make the tunnels almost mesmerizing.
Then, to think of the emptiness, the thundering vibrations, and the drip of water droplets make this space come alive. Having been decommissioned, these tunnels no longer serve their intended purpose or any purpose. It makes me wonder what it would be like if these were converted into public space, not unlike a park. Sure, safety is an issue, but can you imagine any other type of public space with such life and energy?
I’ve been trying to think of what I would name the park, and in light of my recent quoting of Koolhaas I think I’ll keep it simple and just pay “Lipservice.”
Welcome to Underground Niagara.
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Comments
To clarify, this exploration and these photos were done by Michael Cook of Vanishing Point.
As far as authorization, Cook has said that this is public property as a municipal waterway. That doesn’t mean people haven’t been fined for trespassing. I think the major issue here is safety. These tunnels are not maintained. They will deteriorate.
You might be interested to read this interview with Michael Cook at BLDGBLOG. I think he answers a lot of questions.
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Definitely looks and sounds like a place I’d be interested in exploring.
In terms of access, did you have to get special authorisation to explore the tunnels?