International Control Dam, New York

Upstream of Niagara Falls, the International Control Dam extends from the Canadian side to an artificial island in the middle of the river that is just over the line on the US side of the boundary. The dam has adjustable gates, and is used to slow the rate of flow over the Falls, allowing more water to be drawn into intake pipes, a little further upstream on the river, that deliver water to the two massive reservoirs and power plants in the gorge. It also can also control how much water flows over the Canadian falls, versus the American falls. The International Control Dam is jointly operated by New York State Power Authority and Ontario Hydro.