Erosion is a top complaint voiced by Youngstown and Lweiston residents who live along the Niagara River [1] shoreline. For a while, it was hypothesized that erosion was being caused by the 50-foot-long jet boats that often ride along the Niagara River giving tours. [2]

A new study of erosion in the Lower Niagara River by two Canadian geologists found no link to the jet boats. According to The Buffalo News [3], Keith J. Tinker, one of the geologists, said it would take 20 years of monitoring jet boat wake on the riverbanks to determine if they were contributing to erosion.

But many of the riverfront residents are skeptical. They believe the jet boats are causing the erosion and don't think the one-hour jet boat thrill ride is worth any possible environmental damage.

Ian D. Smith, the other geologist who conducted the study, insists that the jet boats have nothing to do with the erosion. He said the more likely causes of erosion along the banks of the Lower Niagara River are:

• Drainage, deforestation and vegetation loss;
• Fluctuating water levels in the Great Lakes;
• Natural erosion of the Queenston shale bedrock from wetting/drying and freeze/thraw processes; and
  
• Hydropower plants on both sides of the river.