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New York Is Going to Turn Off Niagara Falls. Here's How | WIRED

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New York Is Going to Turn Off Niagara Falls. Here's How | WIRED

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New York Is Going to Turn Off Niagara Falls.

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Sometime within the next five to seven years, a section of Niagara Falls will go dry. This isn't a case of the great western drought creeping east, but rather New York's plan to, for lack of a better term, turn off the famed waterfall. The most astonishing part of the whole idea is that it's not nearly as crazy, difficult, expensive, or novel as it may sound.

There's an official, underwhelming word for the procedure: dewatering. And it's been done before. The American Falls section of the continent's greatest water feature was dammed for about five months in 1969 so engineers and researchers could study erosion of the bedrock. Horseshoe Falls, the much larger section that's mostly in Canadian territory, wasn't affected then, and won't be this go-around, either. The blockage was billed as a once in a lifetime event, sparking a surge of tourists eager to gape at the novelty of the craggy, usually submerged floor and the 70-to-100-foot-tall stone cliff over which millions of gallons of water usually plummet every hour. Now, it's happening again.

Niagara Falls sits as the western edge of New York, on the Canadian border. The Niagara River connects Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, and about halfway between the two, drops more than 100 feet. There are actually three distinct waterfalls. On the western, Canadian side of Goat Island is Horseshoe Falls, the massive 165-foot drop that accounts for about 85 percent of the river's flow. On the US side of the island are the smaller American and Bridal Veil Falls.

This round of dewatering needs to happen so engineers with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation can scrap two 115-year-old bridges that have reached-well, exceeded-the end of their useful lives. The bridges cross the Niagara River above the American Falls, and were built to carry cars, trolleys, and pedestrians between the town of Niagara Falls and Goat Island, one of the prime viewing spots for both the American and Horseshoe falls.

They've slowly deteriorated since being built between 1900 and 1901, and in 2005, an examination revealed "that restoration of the existing concrete was no longer considered feasible," the State said in a report detailing the proposal. That year, engineers shut off access to the aging structures and installed temporary truss bridges on top of the stone-clad spans, which carry pedestrians only. Those structures limit visibility of the rapids-the original bridges were specifically designed to be low so visitors could get close to the rushing water below-and are widely considered eyesores. They "provide an aesthetically unappealing experience for park visitors," the State said in its report.

New York's considering three options for their permanent replacements: a precast concrete arched design that closely resembles the current bridges, steel girder bridges that are simpler and more linear, and tied arch bridges with vertical cables supporting the surface from above. The concrete arched design is considered the favorite, though the final selection won't happen for some time. Whatever the plan, it can't be done with roughly 30,000 cubic feet of water flowing by every second.

Also TBD is how long the American Falls will be "off." The State's considering two options. It may demolish the current bridges and build the foundations for the new ones during a five-month dewatering, then complete the upper structures over the next year, after water flow has been restored, in an attempt to minimize disruption to the park. Or, it could dewater the falls for nine months, and build the bridges in their entirety in that time. Whatever it decides, nothing's happening tomorrow. "It'll be three years at the soonest before work begins, but more likely five, six, or seven," says parks spokesperson Angela Berti.

Shutting off the flow of water is actually a relatively simple operation-and at $3 million, a modest element of the anticipated $27 million project. Engineers will build a cofferdam between the upstream tip of Goat Island and the US mainland, a distance of just 350 feet. A cofferdam is, as the name suggests, a type of dam, used to enclose part of a body of water (once it's in place, the water inside is pumped out, leaving it dry inside). The State hasn't revealed details of how long it will take to build the thing, but the 1969 cofferdam spanned about 600 feet and was made up of 28,000 tons of rock and earth, placed in the river by bulldozers and dump trucks.

Made of boulders, gravel, and other landfill, the 21st century temporary enclosure will slow water headed for the American Falls to a trickle, directing the full river's flow over Horseshoe.

Engineers are planning to ensure the dewatering wouldn't affect water levels above Horseshoe, or adversely affect wildlife on the American Falls side, since there are relatively modest lengths of coastline there, and the massive waterfall isn't home to any significant aquatic populations. Nevertheless, state scientists will monitor environmental impacts, both in terms of wildlife and the potential erosion of the nearby shorelines receiving the extra water.

When the falls dry up, the effect will be the equivalent of looking under your sofa for the first time in decades. When crews shut down the falls in 1969, they found two bodies and millions of coins, most of which were removed. (As were the human remains, of course.) But in the last 50 years, tourism at Niagara has grown wildly. The possibilities are endless-more coins, yes, but also lost cell phones, cameras, baby strollers, errant drones, and whatever else could be thrown or dropped by careless, thoughtless, or mischievous visitors. There is, of course, the possibility of human remains being discovered again-though there are no individuals known to have jumped or fallen in who haven't been recovered.

The novelty will also likely yet again prove to be a once-in-a-lifetime tourist draw, Berti says, and the park will prepare for that accordingly-the 1969 dewatering brought people by the thousands. So you can count on endless Instagrams, plenty of marriage proposals, and some excellent time-lapse videos of the falls being switched off-then back on some time later.

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New York Is Going to Turn Off Niagara Falls. Here's How

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Sometime within the next five to seven years, a section of Niagara Falls will go dry. This isn't a case of the great western drought creeping east, but rather New York's plan to, for lack of a better term, turn off the famed waterfall.

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The Niagara River forms part of the border between the state of New York and the Canadian province of Ontario. The border was originally drawn in 1819. Buterosion has changed the falls since then. The exact modern border is uncertain.

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The next big idea begins with research! The PebbleGo Next family of databases helps students in Grades 3-5 learn about key concepts related to Social Studies, Biographies, Science, States, and American Indians. Robust articles, all supported by read-aloud audio and connected to curriculum, include critical thinking questions to help students connect to larger ideas.

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The Moving Falls
Water flowed out of the upper Great Lakes into the lower ones, and eventually out to the Atlantic Ocean.The water from Lake Erie flowed into Lake Ontario through the Niagara River.

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The next big idea begins with research! The PebbleGo Next family of databases helps students in Grades 3-5 learn about key concepts related to Social Studies, Biographies, Science, States, and American Indians. Robust articles, all supported by read-aloud audio and connected to curriculum, include critical thinking questions to help students connect to larger ideas.

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Niagara Falls is part of North America’s humid continental climate. During summer, Earth is tilted so that the northern hemisphere receives more sunlight.That gives the Niagara Falls region long, warm, humid days. In winter, the opposite is true. The days are short, cold, and often snowy.

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The next big idea begins with research! The PebbleGo Next family of databases helps students in Grades 3-5 learn about key concepts related to Social Studies, Biographies, Science, States, and American Indians. Robust articles, all supported by read-aloud audio and connected to curriculum, include critical thinking questions to help students connect to larger ideas.

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The falls is actually made up of three waterfalls: the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls.

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Niagara Falls is a geological wonder and one of the most famous waterfalls in the world. Straddling the border between the United States and Canada, it has been a popular tourist attraction for over 200 years, as well as a major source of hydroelectric power.

Geography

Niagara Falls occurs on the Niagara River, a 36-mile (58 kilometers) channel that connects Lake Erie and Lake Ontario and separates New York from Ontario. The difference in elevation between the two lakes is about 325 feet (99 meters), and half of that height occurs at the falls, according to Niagara Parks.

Niagara is made up of three separate waterfalls: Horseshoe Falls (or Canadian Falls), American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. According to the World Waterfall Database, Horseshoe Falls has a height of about 167 feet (51 m) and stretches over 2,700 feet (823 m) across at its crest; American Falls drops between 90 and 120 feet (27.5 to 36.5 m) and spans about 940 feet (286.5 m) at its crest; Bridal Veil Falls also has a drop of 90 to 120 feet but is only 45 feet (14 m) wide. Together, the average width of the entire falls is 3,950 feet (1,204 m).

The three cascades form the second largest waterfall in the world (after Victoria Falls in Africa), according to the Travel Channel. More than 6 million cubic feet (168,000 cubic meters), or about 70 Olympic-size swimming pools, of water go over the falls every minute. The water rushes over the falls at about 25 mph, according to the New York State Museum (NYSM). The deepest point in the Niagara River is just below Horseshoe Falls, at 167 feet (51 m) deep - equal to the height of the falls, according to Niagara Parks. The Niagara Gorge begins at the foot of the falls and ends 7 miles (11 km) downstream at Lake Ontario. Cliffs rise as high as 1,200 feet (366 m), formed by thousands of years of erosion.

(Image credit: Tim Sharp)

Evolution of Niagara Falls

The geologic forces that formed Niagara Falls started working about 16,000 years ago during the last Ice Age. A glacier more than a mile thick covered the northern regions of the North American continent from Ohio to New York, according to the NYSM. As the ice retreated, it carved out the Great Lakes.

About 12,000 years ago, waters draining the lakes found a low-lying pathway and carved out a channel - the Niagara River. Lake Erie and Lake Ontario were split between higher elevations and lower elevations and the water drained from the upper lake to the lower over the Niagara Escarpment and eventually created a waterfall.

When Niagara Falls formed, it was about 7 miles (11 km) downstream from where it is today. Even now, erosion continues to push the falls farther upstream at a rate of about a foot a year. By some estimates, the river will erode back to Lake Erie in about 50,000 years, cutting through an escarpment and through soft shale and beginning to drain Lake Erie.

(Image credit: Tim Sharp)

History of Niagara Falls

Native Americans settled in the area between A.D. 1300 and 1400, according to Niagara Falls Info. One of the first native tribes called themselves the Onguiaahra, which French explorers turned into "Niagara." Also among the earlier settlers was an Iroquois group, the Atiquandaronk, who were called the "Neutrals" by French explorers because of the tribe's peacekeeping efforts between neighboring warring tribes. In the early 1600s, the Neutrals had a population of 20,000 to 40,000 people.

The first European to visit the falls was probably Étienne Brûlé, a French explorer who lived among the Neutral Nation in 1626. However, he left no written record, but he did report to his patron, Samuel de Champlain, who wrote about the falls. In 1632, Champlain was the first to draw and publish a map of Niagara. The first eyewitness account was written by Louis Hennepin, a priest who accompanied Robert de La Salle to the falls in 1678, according to American Journeys.

The French built the first fort above Niagara Falls in 1679, known as Fort Conti, according to Old Fort Niagara. The fort didn't last long, and Fort Denonville was built in its place in 1687. That fort only lasted for about a year. Fort Niagara, the first permanent fort, was built in 1726.

The British captured Niagara Fort in 1759 during the French and Indian War, which broke out in 1754 and raged all across the Niagara region. Niagara Fort assumed American control in 1796, was recaptured by the British in 1813, and ceded back to the United States after the War of 1812. Between 1813 and 1963, Niagara Fort served as a peaceful border post and as a barracks and training station for American soldiers. Today, Niagara Fort is a popular place that tourists can stroll through while visiting the waterfalls.

In the early 1800s, the number of visitors visiting the waterfalls was increasing, as was the demand for additional amenities. Hotels, resorts, and other tourist attractions began to spring up on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls while factories and mills were being built on the American side, according to New York Waterfalls.

The area built up quickly. The first man-powered ferry opened in 1820 to ferry passengers across the Niagara Gorge. The Niagara Falls Museum opened in 1827, and the Maid of the Mist opened in 1846 to carry passengers, livestock, and cargo across the gorge. The first suspension bridge opened in 1848, a railway extension brought steam engines to the waterfalls in 1854, and a railway suspension bridge opened in 1855 to allow trains to cross the gorge. A canal to divert water from the river to power plants was built in 1861, and the first electric streetcar began operation in 1887.

Niagara Falls also served as a part of the Underground Railroad in the mid-1800s, according to Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Area. Many residents were anti-slavery and were part of an established network in the area to help escaped slaves. Many hotels in the area offered employment to the growing African American population, including a great number of those who had recently escaped slavery.

According to Niagara Falls State Park, the Niagara Reservation, which encompasses Niagara Falls, was established as the first state park in the United States in 1885. The park covers more than 400 acres, which includes about 140 acres under water.

Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse designed and built the first hydroelectric power plant in the world in 1895, bringing clean electricity to the growing vicinity, according to the Tesla Memorial Society of New York. According to the Buffalo Library, power was even transported to Buffalo, New York, within a year.

The cities of Niagara Falls in New York and in Ontario were incorporated in 1892 and 1903, respectively, according to New York Waterfalls.

The areas on both the American and Canadian sides of Niagara Falls have continuously built up and are largely built on tourism. Today, approximately 12 million visitors visit the waterfalls per year, according to Niagara Falls Canada.

(Image credit: Tim Sharp)

Stunts

From the first planned and recorded tourist stunt in 1827, dozens of people have tried to make history by going over the waterfalls or by crossing it in some unconventional manner. Some have succeeded in their efforts but, sadly, others have not.

The first known stunt was arranged in 1827 by William Forsyth of the Pavilion Hotel. It involved decorating a boat as a pirate ship and putting a number of animals onboard - including a bison, two bears, two raccoons, a dog and a goose - and sending it over the waterfalls, according to New York Waterfalls. The two bears escaped before the boat went over but the rest went down with the boat over the waterfalls.

The first person to jump down the waterfalls was Sam Patch (also known as the Yankee Leaper) in 1829 when he dove 85 feet (26 meters) down Horseshoe Falls. He survived the dive, as well as another the following week from a height of 135 feet (41 m).

Charles Blondin was the first to walk across the gorge in 1859 on a tightrope, according to New York Waterfalls. He walked across a 1,100-foot-long (335 m) rope that was 160 feet (49 m) above the gorge just past the waterfalls in approximately 20 minutes. He then followed with many other stunts including crossing his tightrope while blindfolded and pushing a wheelbarrow across.

Italian tightrope walker Maria Spelterini was the first and still the only woman to walk across the gorge on a tightrope in 1876. She repeated her stunt blindfolded, with baskets on her feet, and even once with her hands and feet bound, according to New York Waterfalls.

Captain Matthew Webb was the first to attempt to swim across the Whirlpool rapids in 1883 without any aids. Unfortunately, according to New York Waterfalls, he did not make it and his body was found a few days later.

Annie Edson Taylor, a schoolteacher from Michigan, was the first person to go over the waterfalls in a barrel in 1901, according to New York Waterfalls. She survived with minor injuries.

In 1951, shortly after another failed attempt at going over the waterfalls, the Ontario government made any stunting within the park boundaries illegal. This decree, however, has not stopped the occasional person from going over or crossing the waterfalls in some form or another.
Additional resources

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Niagara Falls is a geological wonder and one of the most famous waterfalls in the world. Straddling the border between the United States and Canada, it has been a popular tourist attraction for over 200 years, as well as a major source of hydroelectric power.

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History of Niagara Falls | Niagara Falls State Park

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History of Niagara Falls | Niagara Falls State Park

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An area 12,300 years in the making, Niagara Falls is a natural wonder unlike any other. The history of Niagara Falls goes back thousands of years, to the Ice Age, when large torrents of water were released from the melting ice, draining into what is now known as the Niagara River.

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History of Niagara Falls | Niagara Falls State Park

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Get to know America's oldest state park. With historical details and fascinating facts, you can learn about Niagara Falls State Park before you arrive.

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8 Amazing Facts About The Niagara Falls - YouTube

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8 Amazing Facts About The Niagara Falls - YouTube

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It is the 2nd Biggest water fall in the world.

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Located on the Niagara River, which drains Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, the combined falls form the highest flow rate of any waterfall in North America that has a vertical drop of more than 165 feet

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This article is about the waterfalls on the Canada–United States border. For other uses, see Niagara Falls (disambiguation).

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Volume of water: 150,000 U.S. Gallons

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Collectively they are called "Niagara Falls"

Categorized by these three names: American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Canadian Falls

American Falls & Bridal Veil Falls

Length of brink: 1060 feet /323.08 meters

Height: 176 feet / 53.6 meters (due to rocks at the base actual fall is 70 feet/ 21.3 meters)

Volume of water: 150,000 U.S. Gallons / 567,811 Liters per second

Actual amount varies, there are two hydroelectric plants which draw water into their reservoirs prior to the Falls. Their intake greatly affects the volume of water flowing over the falls.

The amount of water being siphoned away depends on two variables. The time of year and the time of the day. The flow is greatest over the Falls in the daytime during peak tourist season (June, July, and August). In the event of an emergency the flow can be somewhat reduced by the hydroelectric companies increasing their intake.

The Bridal Veil Falls is named for its appearance. It is located next to the American Falls and separated by a small piece of land called Luna Island.

Canadian "Horseshoe" Falls

Length of brink: 2600 feet / 792.4 meters

Height: 167 feet / 50.9 meters
Volume of water: 600,000 U.S. gallons / 2,271,247 liters per second

A Brief History of the Falls. Information below graciously provided courtesy of Niagara Parks
Ice Age History of the Niagara River and Whirlpool Rapids
The Niagara River as is the entire Great Lakes Basin of which the river is an integral part is a legacy of the last Ice Age. 18,000 years ago southern Ontario was covered by ice sheets 2-3 kilometers thick. As they advanced southward the ice sheets gouged out the basins of the Great Lakes. Then as they melted northward for the last time they released vast quantities of meltwater into these basins. Our water is "fossil water" less than one percent of it is renewable on an annual basis and the rest leftover from the ice sheets.

The Niagara Peninsula became free of the ice about 12,500 years ago. As the ice retreated northward its meltwaters began to flow down through what became Lake Erie, Niagara River and Lake Ontario down to the St. Lawrence River and finally, down to the sea. There were originally 5 spillways from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. Eventually these were reduced to one, the original Niagara Falls, at Queenston-Lewiston. From here the Falls began its steady erosion through the bedrock.

However about 10,500 years ago through an interplay of geological effects including alternating retreats and re-advances of the ice and rebounding of the land when released from the intense pressure of the ice (isostatic rebound) this process was interrupted. The glacial meltwaters were rerouted through northern Ontario bypassing the southern route. For the next 5,000 years Lake Erie remained only half the size of today. The Niagara River was reduced to about 10% of its current flow and a much-reduced Falls stalled in the area of the Niagara Glen.

About 5,500 years ago the meltwaters were once again routed through southern Ontario, restoring the river and Falls to their full power. Then the Falls reached the Whirlpool.

It was a brief and violent encounter and a geological moment lasting only weeks, maybe even only days. In this moment the Falls of the youthful Niagara River intersected an old riverbed and one that had been buried and sealed during the last Ice Age. The Falls turned into this buried gorge and tore out the glacial debris that filled it and scoured the old river bottom clean. It was probably not a falls at all now but a huge churning rapids. When it was all over it left behind a 90-degree turn in the river we know today as the Whirlpool and North America's largest series of standing waves we know today as the Whirlpool Rapids.

The Falls then re-established at about the area of the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge upriver to our right and resumed carving its way through solid rock to its present location.

Straddling the Canadian-United States International Border and both in the Province of Ontario and the State of New York, Niagara Falls attracts some 12 Million tourists to her majestic awesome beauty each year.

The Niagara is a fairly young river and only 12,000 years old, a microsecond in geological time. The Niagara Escarpment which was created by erosion is much older. The glaciers pressed down on the land during the last ice age and laid down layers of sediment then the slow process of erosion of ice and water ate at the surface of the escarpment.
The mighty river plunges over a cliff of dolostone and shale. Niagara Falls is the second largest falls on the globe next to Victoria Falls in southern Africa.

One fifth of all the fresh water in the world lies in the four Upper Great Lakes-Michigan, Huron,Superior and Erie. All the outflow empties into the Niagara river and eventually cascades over the Falls.
At the bottom of the Falls the water travels 15 miles over many gorges until it reaches the fifth Great Lake-Ontario. The land between the lakes does not slope at an even grade, but forms a spectacular drop approximately the same height as a 20 story building and this is known as the "Niagara Escarpment" and two billion years ago it was buried under a blanket of ice.

As the years passed the process of erosion took place and five distinct 'gorges' were formed-Lewiston Brange Gorge, Old Narrow Gorge, Upper & Lower Great Gorges and the Whirlpool Narrow Gorge.

Approximately 500 years ago the river encountered an obstacle that caused it to split into two channels, thus Goat Island was formed named after John Stedman whose goat herds froze to death in the winter of 1780. This was the original sediment left from a vanished Lake Tonawanda (an Indian name).

On the eastern part of the island the American Falls took shape and the Horseshoe Falls is on the western side where the river angles some 90 degrees. The water flow on the American side of the Falls is much less in strength because of Goat Island whereas the Horseshoe Falls has no obstruction to divert it. It should be noted that a third much narrower falls exists. Over the years these falls have been called at different times; Luna Falls, Iris Falls and is currently named Bridal Veil Falls.

Man has not been able to completely control the flow of the water over the falls and even modern engineers have tried. Much of the water today is fed through underground channels and pipes to nearby hydro electric power stations.

Do the Falls Freeze over in the Winter?
Yes and No...... We'll try to explain
The tremendous volume of water never stops flowing. The falling water and mist create ice formations along the banks of the falls and river. This can result in mounds of ice as thick as fifty feet. If the winter is cold for long enough the ice will completely stretch across the river and form what is known as the "ice bridge". This ice bridge can extend for several miles down river until it reaches the area known as the lower rapids.

Until 1912 visitors were allowed to walk out on the ice bridge and view the Falls from below! February 24th of 1888 the local newspaper reported that at least 20,000 people watched or tobogganed on the ice. Shanties selling liquor, photographs and curiosities abounded. On February 4th 1912 the ice bridge broke up and three tourists lives were lost.

There can also be a great deal of "mini-icebergs" which flow down the Niagara River from frozen Lake Erie. The flow of ice has been reduced considerably by the yearly installation of the "ice-boom" on Lake Erie. The ice-boom is a long floating chain (2miles- 3.2 KM) of steel floats strung across the Niagara River from Buffalo New York to Fort Erie Ontario. It is set in place during the month of December and removed during the month of March or April. It is maintained by the New York State Power Authority. The ice boom helps prevent the ice from clogging the river and most importantly the hydroelectric companies water intakes.

Spring Ice flowing underneath the North Grand Island Bridge

HOWEVER.... The flow of water was stopped completely over both falls on March 29th 1848 due to an ice jam in the upper river for several hours. This is the only known time to have occurred. The Falls did not actually freeze over, but the flow was stopped to the point where people actually walked out and recovered artifacts from the riverbed!
Interesting facts about Niagara Falls
The flow over the American Falls was stopped completely for several months in 1969. The idea was to determine the feasibility of removing the large amount of loose rock from the base of the falls to enhance its appearance. In the end the final decision was that the expense would be too great.

The word "Niagara" is derived from the Iroquois Indian word "Onguiaahra" meaning "the strait"

There is an international boundary between the United States and Canada.

Before the invention of film tourists would sketch pictures of the Falls.

The flow was also halted over both falls on March 29th 1848 due to an ice jam in the upper river.

The movies Niagara and Superman were filmed in part at the Falls.

In the past fifteen years two daredevils lost their lives trying to conquer Niagara.

In the evenings intense spotlights bathe the falls with different shades of color.

The first person to go over the Falls in a barrel and survive was a 63 year old female schoolteacher.

High wire tightrope acts used to be performed across the river. Most notably was "Blondin" who once actually carried his manager across on his back and stopping midway to rest!

The Falls make a tremendous sound as the water goes over and lands at the bottom.

Twenty percent of the worlds freshwater lies in the Great Lakes and most flows over Niagara Falls.
Niagara Falls Hotels

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Collectively they are called "Niagara Falls" Categorized by these three names: American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Canadian Falls American Falls & Bridal Veil Falls Length of brink: 1060 feet /323.08 meters Height: 176 feet / 53.6 meters (due to rocks at the base actual fall is 70 feet/ 21.3 meters) Volume of water: 150,000 U.S.

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Fun Niagara Falls Facts for Kids - Interesting Information about the Niagara Falls

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Fun Niagara Falls Facts for Kids - Interesting Information about the Niagara Falls

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Niagara Falls Facts for Kids

Enjoy our fun Niagara Falls facts for kids. Learn interesting information about the Niagara Falls including where they are found, how many visitors see them every year, how tall they are, how they are used to produce electricity and much more. Read on to find out everything you've ever wanted to know about the amazing Niagara Falls!

The Niagara Falls are located on the border of Ontario, Canada and New York, USA.

The Niagara Falls are made up of 3 waterfalls, the American Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls and the Horseshoe Falls.

The Horseshoe Falls are the largest and the Bridal Veil Falls the smallest.

The 3 waterfalls combine to produce the highest flow rate of any waterfall on earth.

The largest vertical drop is over 165 feet (50 metres).

The Niagara Falls were created by glacier activity around 10000 years ago.

The Niagara Falls are a source of hydropower, producing large amounts of electricity.

Hydroelectric stations in the area divert less water during the summer when tourist numbers are high, ensuring a spectacular flow of water for visitors.

The Niagara River drains water from Lake Erie into Lake Ontario.

At the current rate of erosion, scientists believe that the Niagara Falls will be gone in around 50000 years, luckily you still have time to see them!

It is illegal (and not very smart) to go over the Niagara Falls.

A number of people have tried it anyway, some survived, some were injured and some were killed.

The first tightrope walker to cross the Niagara Falls did so in 1859.

In 2012 Nik Wallenda became the first person to cross the Niagara Falls by tightrope in 116 years. He did so after receiving permission from both the Canadian and United States governments, although he was required to carry his passport and present it on entry to the Canadian side of the falls.

The Niagara Falls have long been a popular tourist destination, boosted by a number of movies featuring the falls and even a daring performance by famous Illusionist David Copperfield in 1990.

Goat Island sits in the middle of the Niagara Falls, between Horseshoe Falls and Bridal Veil Falls.

A monument dedicated to Serbian-American inventor Nikola Tesla sits on Goat Island.

The Niagara Falls are visited by around 30 million people every year.

The Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in the United States (1885).

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Fun Niagara Falls Facts for Kids - Interesting Information about the Niagara Falls

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Niagara Falls Facts for Kids Enjoy our fun Niagara Falls facts for kids. Learn interesting information about the Niagara Falls including where they are found, how many visitors see them every year, how tall they are, how they are used to produce electricity and much more.

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21 Facts We'll Bet You Didn't Know About Niagara Falls - Travel Blog by FlightNetwork

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21 Facts We'll Bet You Didn't Know About Niagara Falls - Travel Blog by FlightNetwork

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Category:

Bucket List Worthy Hot off the Press

The majesty of Niagara Falls is something that's difficult to describe in words. The three falls - Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls - overlap the border between Canada and the United States. On one side of the falls is Niagara Falls, Ontario, and on the other is Niagara Falls, N.Y. The two cities with the same name overlook one of the world's most famous attractions.

When you visit the falls, you'll hear all kinds of fun facts about them and the cities that are fortunate to call them their own. These crazy facts are ones the tour guides probably won't tell you about this must-see Canadian and American attraction.

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About the Author: Courtney McCaffrey

Courtney McCaffrey is a travel writer and editor based in Wilmington, N.C, Mexico and around the world. In addition to writing, she lives for travel - seeing new places, experiencing new cultures and surfing new waves. View all posts by Courtney McCaffrey

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21 Facts We'll Bet You Didn't Know About Niagara Falls

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Category: Bucket List Worthy Hot off the Press The majesty of Niagara Falls is something that's difficult to describe in words. The three falls - Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls - overlap the border between Canada and the United States.

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People have been living in the area of Niagara Falls for thousands of years. By the 1600s, a people now called the Atiquandaronk lived in the area of the falls.They set up villages all along the river. They hunted wild game, fished the river waters, and grew crops,including maize, beans, and pumpkins. They called the region Onguiaahra, which meant, "the straight," or"thundering water."

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The next big idea begins with research! The PebbleGo Next family of databases helps students in Grades 3-5 learn about key concepts related to Social Studies, Biographies, Science, States, and American Indians. Robust articles, all supported by read-aloud audio and connected to curriculum, include critical thinking questions to help students connect to larger ideas.