Niagara Falls is a collective name for three waterfalls located at the southern end of Niagara Gorge, straddling the border between Ontario, Canada, and New York, United States [1]. These include the Horseshoe Falls (also known as the Canadian Falls), the American Falls, and the Bridal Veil Falls [1]. The Niagara River, which drains Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, forms these falls [1].

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Niagara Falls is renowned for its immense beauty and serves as a significant source of hydroelectric power [1]. The Horseshoe Falls is the most powerful waterfall in North America, measured by flow rate [1]. During peak tourist hours, over 168,000 cubic meters (5.9 million cubic feet) of water flow over the crest of the falls every minute [1] [4]. The Canadian Horseshoe Falls drops approximately 57 meters (188 feet), while the American Falls varies in height from 21 to 30 meters (69 to 98 feet) due to boulders at its base [1] [4]. The crest line of the Horseshoe Falls is about 670 meters (2,200 feet) wide, and the American Falls is approximately 260 meters (850 feet) wide [4].

Formation and Geology

Niagara Falls was formed approximately 10,000 years ago at the end of the Wisconsin glaciation, the last ice age [1]. As glaciers receded, meltwater from the newly formed Great Lakes carved a path over and through the Niagara Escarpment [1]. The erosion process is influenced by three major rock formations: the hard, erosion-resistant Lockport Formation (limestone and dolomite) at the caprock, the softer Rochester Formation (shale with some limestone layers) beneath it, and the Queenston Formation (shales and fine sandstones) in the lower valley [1]. The softer layers erode more quickly, undercutting the hard caprock, which then breaks off in large chunks, causing the falls to retreat [1].

Historically, Niagara Falls has retreated about 10.9 kilometers (6.8 miles) southward from its original position between Queenston, Ontario, and Lewiston, New York [1]. The current rate of erosion is approximately 30 centimeters (0.98 feet) per year, significantly reduced from a historical average of 0.9 meters (3.0 feet) per year due to flow control and diversion for hydropower generation [1] [4]. Scientists speculate that the American Falls could dry up in about 2,000 years, and the Horseshoe Falls may be replaced by a series of rapids in about 50,000 years [4]. The green color of the water is due to the estimated 60 tonnes per minute of dissolved salts and rock flour generated by the erosive force of the Niagara River [1] [4].

Hydroelectric Power

The immense energy of Niagara Falls has been harnessed for hydroelectric power since the 18th century [1]. The first known effort was in 1750, with a small canal built to power a sawmill [1]. In 1881, the first hydroelectric generating station was built, producing direct current electricity [1]. By 1896, a large-scale alternating current (AC) power system was established, capable of generating 75 megawatts and transmitting power as far as Buffalo, New York [1].

Today, Niagara is the largest electricity producer in New York state, with a generating capacity of 2.4 GW [1]. A 1950 treaty between the U.S. and Canada regulates water diversion to preserve the falls' natural beauty, ensuring an "unbroken curtain of water" [1] [4]. During the tourist season (April 1 to October 31), a minimum of 2,832 cubic meters per second (100,000 cubic feet per second) of water must flow over the falls during daylight hours [1] [4]. At other times, the flow must not be less than 1,416 cubic meters per second (50,000 cubic feet per second) [1] [4].

Tourism and Attractions

Niagara Falls is a major tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors annually [1]. Peak visitor traffic occurs in the summertime, with floodlights illuminating the falls for several hours after dark [1].

Key attractions on the U.S. side (Niagara Falls, New York) include:

• Niagara Falls State Park: America's oldest state park, offering various viewing points and attractions [2] [6].
• Maid of the Mist: An iconic boat tour that takes passengers into the rapids below the falls [1] [6] [7].
• Cave of the Winds: Allows visitors to descend into the Niagara Gorge and feel the water from the Bridal Veil Falls on the Hurricane Deck [2] [6].
• Prospect Point Observation Tower: Provides the only U.S. location to view both the American and Horseshoe Falls [6].
• Aquarium of Niagara: Features captivating exhibits and educational experiences of the aquatic world [2] [6] [8].
• Niagara Scenic Trolley: Offers guided tours around Niagara Falls State Park [6].
• Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center: Reveals authentic stories of freedom seekers and abolitionists [5].
• Discover Niagara Shuttle: A seasonal hop-on, hop-off shuttle connecting 18 destinations from the Falls to Fort Niagara [5] [6].

Key attractions on the Canadian side (Niagara Falls, Ontario) include:

• Hornblower Niagara Cruises: A boat tour similar to Maid of the Mist, operating from the Canadian side [1].
• Journey Behind the Falls: Allows visitors to explore tunnels and observation platforms near the base of Horseshoe Falls [1] [9].
• Skylon Tower: An observation tower offering panoramic views of the falls and the surrounding city [1] [9].
• Whirlpool Aero Car: A cable car that transports passengers over the Niagara Whirlpool [1] [9].
• Niagara Parks Power Station + Tunnel: A restored hydroelectric power station with an underground tunnel leading to a viewing platform near the falls [7] [9].
• Queen Victoria Park: Features gardens and viewpoints of all three falls [1].
• Greg Frewin Theatre: Offers magic shows [7] [9].
• Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours: Provides exhilarating rides through the Niagara Rapids [7] [9].
• Niagara Falls Fireworks: Free fireworks displays are held nightly from May through October, and additionally on New Year's Eve [7].

Bridge Crossings

Several bridges span the Niagara River in the vicinity of the falls, connecting the U.S. and Canada [1]. The Rainbow Bridge is open to non-commercial vehicle traffic and pedestrians, offering close views of the falls [1] [3]. The Whirlpool Rapids Bridge is located further north and is the oldest bridge over the Niagara River, serving local traffic and Amtrak's Maple Leaf service [1] [3].

Daredevils and Tightrope Walkers

Niagara Falls has a history of daredevil stunts [1]. In 1901, Annie Edson Taylor was the first person to go over the falls in a barrel and survive [1]. Since then, others have attempted similar stunts, some surviving and others perishing [1]. It is now illegal on both sides of the border to attempt to go over the falls [1].

Tightrope walkers have also drawn large crowds, crossing the gorge near the current Rainbow Bridge [1]. Jean François "Blondin" Gravelet was the first to cross in 1859, and Maria Spelterini was the first and only woman to do so in 1876 [1]. In 2012, Nik Wallenda became the first person in 116 years to walk across the falls area on a tightrope, near the brink of Horseshoe Falls [1].

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