Niagara Falls is a breathtaking and romantic wonder, the honeymoon capital of the world since its late 1880s grandiosity. Located in New York state near Buffalo on Lake Erie’s Niagara River, this natural attraction draws 12 million visitors annually. It has countless activities to enjoy, from wineries to water parks, theme parks to boat tours! Below are the Top 10 interesting facts about Niagara Falls that are covered in our blog.
1. Niagara Falls is the world’s fastest-moving waterfall with Highest Flow Rate
An interesting fact about Niagara Falls is it is the world’s fastest-moving waterfall. It is also the most powerful waterfall in the world. About 700,000 gallons of water flow down Niagara Falls every second at around 100 miles per hour!
It was formed from glaciers over 12,000 years ago. It is now 188 feet tall with a depth of 170 feet. Two million litres or about 600k gallons travel through Niagara Falls every day. It can be as high as 100 mph, making it one of the fastest moving natural phenomena on earth!
Many different theories surround its formation, but all agree that the ice age shaped these more than 12000 years ago when massive chunks broke off North America into Lake Erie, leaving large cracks which started to fill up, creating what we know today.
2. Five Tightrope Walks Over Niagara Falls
At the turn of the 20th century, the most daring tightrope walk was Charles Blondin, who wore pink tights and walked across Niagara Falls in 1859. Charles Blondin was a tightrope walker known for crossing Niagara Falls several times.
Daredevil Nik Wallenda became the first person to tightrope walk over Niagara Falls in 2012. He walked in front of a live audience of tens of thousands and had his journey broadcasted on live T.V.—allowing millions of more people around the world to watch!
3. Niagara Falls consists of three waterfalls
The American Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls (named for its resemblance to a bride’s veil), and the largest, the Horseshoe Falls, make up Niagara Falls. These falls share the border between Canada and the United States. All these falls originate from Niagara River that drains from four Great Lakes — Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Erie – before falling into Ontario’s famous lake as one single body of rapids!
With a height measuring about 164 feet tall, each fall goes down several levels across rocks. It creates beautiful views, which can be seen from various walking trails nearby or even just by driving close enough with your camera ready to snap.
4. Niagara Falls provides hydropower to both the US and Canada
Niagara Falls is an excellent source of hydropower. The first power plant was built in 1881 on the Niagara River to generate electricity for nearby cities like Buffalo, New York City, Toronto (Ontario), Rochester (New York), and others across Canada. This massive waterfall provides enough energy. Suppose all the falls are used at once; in that case, it will generate 1/4 of the electricity for the New York state and Canadian province Ontario. There are several hydropower plants in and around Niagara Falls producing electricity for America and Canada.
Niagara Falls uses less water for hydroelectric power generation during the summer, and visitors can enjoy a grander flow. However, at night, more potential energy is generated by this increased intake because of its inflow into the falls (Niagara).
5. Historic Sites at Niagara Falls Canada
Niagara Falls is home to some fascinating historical landmarks. One example includes Old Fort Niagara, which houses an ancient American flag. British forces captured it during the War of 1812. Another important location that locks on the Erie Canal is called ‘Flight of Five Locks. A device for lifting and lowering boats as they were built in 1815 and still function today.
In addition to that historical flag, visitors can view several other exhibits about local American heritage and culture. These include architecture from each period, along with an Underground Railroad exhibition telling tales about slaves who used secret routes to escape their owners’ grasp before reaching Lewiston.
6. The sixth Interesting Fact About Niagara Falls is that it is remarkably Young
Even though Niagara Falls is about 12,000 years old, in geographical wonder years, the exciting fact about Niagara Falls is that it is pretty young. Niagara Falls is an infant in eco terms.
The first reference of Niagara falls came from Samuel de Champlain’s account, which was probably a story that natives told him that he encountered on his travels. Hennepin documented the falls for the first time in 1678, and it has been featured prominently ever since as one of North America’s greatest natural wonders.
7. Niagara Falls provides about twenty percent of drinking water for America
Niagara Falls is the source of nearly one-fifth of drinking water in America, about 21 percent of world surface freshwater – which just so happens to be all contained in The Great Lakes! Despite its beauty and benefits, you should avoid drinking directly as it may contain microorganisms or parasites not fit for consumption. This is an interesting fact about Niagara Falls; everybody needs to know.
8. Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in the U.S. Established in 1885
One of the most interesting facts about Niagara Falls is that of the State Park. It is the oldest state park in the U.S., established at the Niagara Reservation in New York. Each year, more than 8 million visitors go to Niagara Falls State Park. The Niagara Falls Association was found in 1885 to keep the natural environment healthier and prevent overcrowding atmosphere as it may disturb the natural ecosystem. This association acquired private land around this area to preserve its beauty for future generations. The association is protecting some of nature’s most magnificent creations located here: Niagara falls itself!
9. The first daredevil to survive a trip down the falls was a woman
In 1901, Annie Edson Taylor became the first person to take a fall down Niagara Falls. She improvised an iron and oak barrel padded with a mattress. These successfully protected her from getting hurt during the 1-minute drop into the water; she survived. However, it is against U.S. law to attempt this risky act at such dangerous locations. It can lead you up in trouble by incurring a fine of $10k or even more than that, along with compensating for rescue efforts as well. Not only was Mrs. Taylor fined, but she also had been buried under Stunters Rest among other daredevils at Oakwood Cemetery situated near Niagara falls much later on after she died because of old age complications.
10. The tenth Interesting Fact About Niagara Falls is that Fishes can survive over Niagara Falls
Thanks to the protective foam, 90% of fish that swim down Niagara Falls survive! This protective foam protects fishes from falls. One can see fish by jumping up at Cave of Winds in Niagara Fall State Park. They try their best to reach Lake Ontario above them. While people used to say flying fish hit someone on its way down. These people watch over Cave of Winds.
Niagara State Park has more than 400 acres filled with wildlife. It has wintering gulls and ducks in various landscapes for visitors to enjoy. Niagara Falls is one of the most beautiful places in the world. It contains many special features like a massive waterfall, three waterfalls that makeup two canals. It also has an island between them with an amusement park on it! After knowing interesting facts about Niagara Falls, a visit to Niagara Falls will leave you speechless due to its beauty.
For more information visit ToNiagara
