New York officials are considering temporarily turning Niagara Falls into a trickle.

State officials are holding a public hearing this week to discuss plans for replacing 115-year-old bridges linking the mainland to islands near the brink of Niagara Falls. To do so, they might reduce the flow on the American side of the falls by building a temporary structure to redirect Niagara River water to the Canadian side.

The state parks and transportation departments said in an October report that the two concrete arch bridges need to be replaced. They provide pedestrian access to Goat Island for millions of visitors each year.

A public hearing is being held Wednesday evening the Niagara Falls Convention Center.

(AP)