Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is a group of three waterfalls between the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of New York. The largest waterfall is called Horseshoe Falls, which straddles the international border and is also known as the Canadian Falls. Two smaller waterfalls, American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, are found on the U.S. side.

These waterfalls were formed by the Niagara River, which flows from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. Together, they have a very high flow rate. During busy times, a lot of water rushes over the falls every minute.

Niagara Falls is famous for its beauty and also provides a lot of hydroelectric power. Managing the area for tourists, businesses, and power production has been a challenge since the 1800s. The falls are close to the cities of Niagara Falls, Ontario and Niagara Falls, New York, and they were created when glaciers melted at the end of the last ice age, allowing water from the Great Lakes to flow over the Niagara Escarpment.

Etymology

People have different ideas about where the name "Niagara" comes from. Some think it means "thundering water," from an old Native American word. Others think it might come from the name of a local group of people or a town. Over time, "Niagara" became the common name for these amazing waterfalls.

Characteristics

Niagara Falls has three waterfalls. Horseshoe Falls is the largest and tallest at about 57 meters high and 790 meters wide. The American Falls is smaller, ranging from 21 to 30 meters high and 320 meters wide. The distance between the American and Canadian ends of the falls is about 1,039 meters.

The most water flows over Horseshoe Falls in late spring or early summer, with an average flow of 2,400 cubic meters every second. Much of this water is used to generate electricity, and the rest flows over the falls. The water sometimes looks green because of tiny pieces of rock and dissolved salts. The area around Niagara Falls is a good place for birds, especially gulls, who visit here during their migrations.

Geology

Niagara Falls was formed by the Wisconsin glaciation about 10,000 years ago. When the ice melted, water filled the valleys left by glaciers and created the Great Lakes. The Niagara River started flowing over a cliff. Over time, the river carved a deep gorge through layers of rock.

The river erodes softer rock faster than harder rock, so the falls slowly move backward. Today, people work to protect and preserve Niagara Falls for the future.

History

Many explorers and visitors have talked about Niagara Falls over the years. The French explorer Samuel de Champlain visited the area in 1604 and heard about the falls. The first written description was by the Belgian missionary Louis Hennepin in 1677. Other early visitors were the French Jesuit Paul Ragueneau and the Finland-Swedish naturalist Pehr Kalm.

In the 1800s, Niagara Falls became a popular place for tourists. Famous visitors included Napoleon Bonaparte's brother Jérôme and explorer John Franklin. In 1840, an early photograph of the falls was taken by Hugh Lee Pattinson. After World War II, many people visited the falls, especially for honeymoons. Efforts have been made to use the falls for hydroelectric power and to protect its beauty.

Bridge crossings

Many bridges cross the Niagara River near the falls. The first opened in 1848 and was a suspension bridge. In 1855, a second bridge was built for trains. It was later used to help people reach safety in Canada.

More bridges were built over time. The Whirlpool Rapids Bridge opened in 1897 and is still used today. The Honeymoon Bridge collapsed in 1938 after ice blocked the river. Other bridges include the Niagara Cantilever Bridge, built in 1883, and the Rainbow Bridge, which opened in 1941 and is still in use.

Industry and commerce

Hydroelectric power

See also: List of Niagara Falls hydroelectric generating plants

The power of Niagara Falls has been used for many years. People first tried to use the water’s energy in 1750, by building a canal to power a sawmill. Later, more canals were built to make electricity. In 1881, the first hydroelectric power station was built, using the falling water to create electricity for local mills and streetlights.

Today, Niagara Falls helps provide electricity for both the United States and Canada. Up to 1,420 cubic metres of water every second is used to power machines that send electricity to nearby areas. When there is less need for electricity, some of the water can be pumped back up for later use. A treaty between the U.S. and Canada makes sure that enough water keeps flowing over the falls so they stay beautiful for visitors.

Transport

Ships can avoid the falls by using the Welland Canal, which connects to the Saint Lawrence Seaway. The cities of Niagara Falls in Canada and the United States are linked by two bridges, including the Rainbow Bridge, which offers a great view of the falls. Nearby airports, universities, and even an asteroid are named after the famous waterfall.

Over the falls

See also: List of people who have gone over Niagara Falls

Jumps, plunges and walks

The first recorded event at Niagara Falls was in 1827, when a boat went over the falls as a show. In 1829, Sam Patch jumped from a tall tower into the gorge below and survived. Over the years, many people have tried stunts at the falls.

In 1901, Annie Edson Taylor became the first person to go over the falls in a barrel. She survived and said no one should try it again. Today, it is illegal to attempt such stunts.

Tightrope walkers

Tightrope walkers have drawn large crowds at Niagara Falls. In 1859, Jean François "Blondin" Gravelet was the first to cross the gorge on a tightrope. He performed many crossings. In 2012, Nik Wallenda became the first person in over 100 years to walk across the falls area on a tightrope, with special permission.

Fish

Experts say that most fish that go over the falls survive the drop.

Tourism

Niagara Falls is a popular place for visitors, especially in the summer. People come to see the falls during the day and at night. On the Canadian side, lights shine on the falls after sunset.

The most famous attraction is the Maid of the Mist boat cruise. It has taken visitors close to the falls since 1846. The cruise operates from both the American and Canadian sides. From the U.S. side, you can view the falls from walkways in Prospect Point Park and visit the Cave of the Winds on Goat Island. The Canadian side has beautiful gardens and observation rooms in Queen Victoria Park.

Other attractions include the Skylon Tower with its high view of the falls, the Whirlpool Aero Car that goes over the Niagara Whirlpool, and several casinos. Guided tours and helicopter rides over the falls are also popular.

Media

Movies and television

Niagara Falls became very famous after the 1953 movie Niagara starring Marilyn Monroe and Joseph Cotten. An animated short from 1956 called Niagara Fools featured Woody Woodpecker trying to go over the falls in a barrel. The falls appeared in the 1980 film Superman II and was the focus of an IMAX movie titled Niagara: Miracles, Myths and Magic. In 1990, illusionist David Copperfield did a trick where he seemed to go over Horseshoe Falls.

The falls were also used in a TV show called Wonderfalls in 2004. Footage of the falls was in the 2006 movie Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. A 2015 film, Chasing Niagara, showed a kayaker named Rafa Ortiz getting ready to paddle over the falls in a kayak. In 1991, Kevin McMahon made a documentary called The Falls about how people see Niagara Falls around the world.

Literature

Niagara Falls has been in many books and poems. The area was used in a story by H. G. Wells called _The War in the Air. Famous poets like José Maria Heredia and John Neal wrote about the falls. Letitia Elizabeth Landon wrote a poem about an Indian girl guiding a European man over the falls. Lydia Sigourney also wrote poems about Niagara Falls. In 1893, Mark Twain wrote a funny story imagining Adam and Eve living at the Falls.

Music

In 1960, composer Ferde Grofé made the Niagara Falls Suite to celebrate work done at the falls. Later, in 1997, composer Michael Daugherty wrote Niagara Falls, a piece for concert band, inspired by the falls.

Fine art

Niagara Falls has been a favorite subject for artists for a long time. Many famous painters and photographers have shown its beauty in different ways, from old drawings to new movies. Some well-known artworks include pieces by Richard Wilson, Alvan Fisher, Thomas Cole, and many others who loved to paint the powerful scene.

Panoramic views

Niagara Falls has three waterfalls. The biggest one is Horseshoe Falls. It sits on the border between Canada and the United States. Old pictures from the early 1900s show how powerful and beautiful the falls are. Today, visitors can see all three falls from places like the Skylon Tower.