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Niagara Falls Facts

Niagara Falls Facts
Three waterfalls that fall on the international border between Ontario, Canada and New York, United States make up Niagara Falls. The three waterfalls include Horseshoe Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and the American Falls. These three waterfalls are part of the Niagara River waterway which drains into Lake Ontario from Lake Erie. The most powerful waterfall in North America is Horseshoe Falls by flow rate and vertical height. Niagara Falls was formed at the end of the last ice age. The falls provide a source of hydroelectric power and also serve as a popular tourist destination to visitors from all around the world.
Interesting Niagara Falls Facts:
Bridal Veil Falls are the smallest of three waterfalls and Horseshoe Falls is the largest.
Combined, the three waterfalls that make up Niagara Falls produce the world's highest flow rate.
It is believed that with the rate of erosion, Niagara Falls will be gone in 50,000 years.
In the last 12,500 years Niagara Falls has moved back approximately seven miles.
A number of people have tried to go over the falls in various apparatus including barrels. Some have survived but many have died trying.
It is illegal to go over the falls - and if a person attempts it and survives - they could wind up in jail.
People have attempted to walk over the falls on a tightrope. The first person to cross the falls this way accomplished the feat in 1859.
Between Horseshoe Falls and Bridal Veil Falls is an island called Goat Island.
Approximately 30 million people visit Niagara Falls each year.
In 2012 Nik Wallenda crossed Niagara Falls on a tightrope. He had permission from Canada and the United States. He was the first person to do this in 116 years.
There are approximately 500 other waterfalls in the world that are even taller than Niagara Falls.
Each minute approximately 6 million cubic feet of water goes over Niagara Falls.
The brown color of the foam on the water at the bottom of Niagara Falls is caused by the presence of clay which results from decayed vegetation.
In the narrow Great Gorge at the bottom of Niagara Falls there are a number of fossils that exist. These fossils include the remains of worms, bryozoans, brachiopods, molluscs, corals, sponges and fish.
The water that flows through Niagara Falls, which is part of the Niagara River, is used for hydro-power, industrial cooling, fishing, recreation and for drinking.
The amount of water that can be used for power from Niagara River is regulated by a treaty between the United States and Canada.
Niagara River's future is being negatively impacted by climate change.
Scientists have estimated that the American Falls could dry up in the next 2,000 years.
In the future Niagara Falls may be reduced to a series of rapids.
In 1888 approximately 20,000 people tobogganed or watched other toboggan on the ice bridge. The ice bridge forms if winter is cold enough for a long enough period of time.
An ice jam in 1848 actually caused Niagara Falls to stop flowing for several hours.


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