Mesmerizing Facts About Niagara Falls

Tap to Read ➤ Uttara Manohar

Niagara falls, which are massive waterfalls on the Niagara River, have always been popular for its enchanting beauty and its overpowering facade. The name Niagara originates from an Iroquois word Onguiaahra which means 'Strait'.

The Niagara Falls was formed when glaciers receding at the end of the Wisconsin glaciation and from the water of the newly formed Great Lakes, which together created a path through the Niagara Escarpment en route to the Atlantic Ocean. Formation of Niagara Falls

Although the Niagara Waterfalls is not exceptionally high, it is very wide. The length of brink is 1060 feet while its overall height is 176 feet. Niagara Falls is one of the most powerful waterfalls in North America. Height and Width of Niagara Falls

Location of Niagara Falls Niagara Falls is located on the international border that separates the Canadian province of Ontario and the American state of New York. It includes two sections, divided by Goat Island.

The sections are the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side and the American Falls on the US side. One smaller section of the waterfall, the Bridal Veil Falls, is also located on the American side and is separated from the main falls by the Luna Island. These waterfalls together is called Niagara Falls.

Boat Cruise

One of the oldest and best known tourist attractions at the Niagara Falls is the boat cruise called Maid of the Mist boat cruise, which is named after an ancient Ongiara Indian mythical character.

When winter rolls in, the water doesn't cease to stop flowing from atop - where mist is created thus forming ice along the banks of the river. Ice as deep and as thick as 50 feet is formed, where it can span the river in an icy layer of solid ice, known as the ice bridge. Niagara Falls During Winters

Niagara Falls: A Source of Power

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Augustus and Peter Porter purchased the canal built by Daniel Joncaire along with the entire American falls in 1805 from the New York state government. The Niagara Falls had long been identified as a potential source of power. One of the very first attempts to utilize the Niagara Falls as a source of energy was in 1759. In 1759, Daniel Joncaire built a small canal above the waterfalls to power his sawmill.

Augustus and Peter Porter enlarged the original canal in order to provide hydraulic to power their gristmill and tannery.

In 1853, the Niagara Falls Hydraulic Power and Mining Company was chartered, which eventually constructed the canals that were to be used for electricity generation.

In the year 1881, under the leadership of Jacob Schoellkopf, power was generated using the Niagara waters. The power was sufficient to illuminate both the Falls as well as the nearby Niagara Falls village.

There are 14 species of plants, both endangered and quite rare, that are located in the Niagara River Gorge. Plant Varieties at Niagara Falls

The Original Niagara Falls

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video. It is a fact that the original Niagara Falls were near the sites of present-day Queenston, Ontario, and Lewiston, New York. However owing to the erosion of their crest, the waterfalls have retreated several miles southward.

Niagara Conquest

Several people have attempted to conquer the Niagara Falls. In October 1829, Sam Patch, jumped from a high tower into the gorge below the falls and also survived the jump.

This incident has continued into a tradition of daredevils, some of whom successfully conquered the falls, while some even lost their lives in the attempt. A 63-year-old woman, a school teacher, successfully rolled in a barrel off the Niagara Falls.

The Collapse of Honeymoon Bridge

The Upper Steel Arch Bridge, called as 'Honeymoon Bridge' back in olden days, collapsed in the gorge below the falls due to the pressure caused due to increased ice formation. The collapse occurred on January 27th, 1938.

Rainbows at Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls are known for their stunning display of rainbows, or lunar bows which create a beautiful display of colors when the light of the moon hits the mist formed by the Falls.