Niagara Falls is located on the international border between Canada and the United States between Niagara Falls, Ontario, and Niagara Falls, New York. There are two major waterfalls, Canadian Horseshoe Falls and the American Falls are separated by a small patch of land called Goat Island. Another island, Luna Island, separates the smaller Bridal Veil Falls on the American side from the main falls.
History:
Niagara Falls was created during the last Ice Age over 10,000 years ago. When the glaciers receded, the Great Lakes, which also formed during this Ice Age, cut a path through the Niagara Encampment, a cliff which was at present day Lewistown, New York. The powerful water eroded away the rock until it eventually reached the location it is currently at. Today, it continues to erode rocks through the freezing and thawing of the Niagara River. This continues to move the Falls gradually upstream. Work is being done to try and minimize the movements of the Falls.
Native Americans were probably the first people to witness the magic of Niagara Falls, but it is not exactly clear who the first explorer to see the Falls was. Several early explorers were among the first people to describe them, including Samuel de Champlain in the early 17th century and Pehr Kalm in the early 18th century. Louis Hennepin is credited with informing the Europeans of the Falls, although there is evidence of other explorers being the first to witness them.
Tourists began traveling to Niagara Fall during the 1820s, which was the same decade that the first ferry service began across the lower river. Within fifty years, tourism became the main industry of the area. Along with tourism, the Industrial Revolution had its impact on Niagara Falls. Mills and Factories sprung up to capture the power of the Falls, and by the 1860s the Free Niagara Movement was formed to help preserve the beautiful land. Thankfully, for us, this small group succeeded, and the land of Niagara Falls was preserved. Today, the falls are predominately used for tourism, but they are also widely used for hydroelectric power, since they are the most powerful waterfall in North America.
Fun Facts:
– Horseshoe Falls drops 170 feet and is 2,600 feet wide
– American Falls drops between 70 and 110 feet and is 1,060 feet wide
– Over 6 million cubic feet of water flow over the crestline every minute at its peak
– Over 4 million cubic feet of water flow over the crestline every minute on average
– 3,160 tons of water flow over the Falls every second
– The water falls at 32 feet per second
– Niagara Falls can generate over 4 million kilowatts of electricity
– Niagara Falls State Park, established in 1885, is the oldest state park in the United States
– Niagara Falls has moved 7 miles since its creation
– Between 1901 and 1985, ten people traveled over the Falls in either a barrel, ball, or rig. Seven survived.
