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Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is located at the border between the two countries of Canada and the United States. On the Canadian side there is Ontario Province and on the United States side visitors will find the State of New York through which Niagara River flows before forming the falls. The name Niagara is used to identify three falls that are located close to one another. The biggest one is the Horseshoe Falls and the next is the American Falls. The smallest one is called the Bridal Veil Falls. Niagara River is the one that carries water from Lake Eerie to Lake Ontario which carries the water to form the falls.

Characteristics
Horseshoe Falls is 188ft high while that of American Falls stays between 70 and 100ft. When it comes to width, Horseshoe Falls is 2600ft wide and that of American Falls is 1060ft. The average of water that flows on the Niagara River is 85,000 cubic feet per second but during the peak season it could go up to 225,000 cubic feet. It is estimated that 60 tonnes of salts is dissolved in the water of Niagara River per hour and it is this salt that makes the water green in color.

Geology
It is believed that Niagara Falls has been created 10,000 years back due to Wisconsin glaciation. The same has created Great lakes as well. Melting glaciers have created the river and the water dissolved the soluble parts of the soil to create the falls. Due to this effect the falls has changed its location and gone upstream by 10.9km during the past 10,900 years.

History
There are different stories on how the name of Niagara originated. One is the belief that it was the name of a nation that was there during the early days. Another says that it was the name given to a township in the particular nation. When it comes to the early visitors of the falls there is Samuel de Champlain a Frenchman who has been to the area in 1604. Pehr Kalm, a Finish-Swedish has visited the falls in early 18th century. Louis Hennepin has been to the falls in 1677.

During 18th century tourists started visiting the place and Jerome brother of Napoleon Bonaparte has come over there with his bride. In 1948 falls got blocked due to ice formation for 40 hours and no water fell during this time. The same year a foot bridge to cross the river was erected. Whirlpool Bridge that is in operation up to date was built in 1897. In 1969 a temporary dam to block water of Niagara River partially was built and the rock at the bottom of falls on the American side was strengthened.

Efforts to use water of Niagara Falls for commercial use

Power
The first effort was made by Daniel Joncaire who powered his sawmill with water taken from upstream of the fall. In 1853 hydraulic power obtained from the falls was used to run a tannery by Pieter and Augustus porter. In 1881 the first hydroelectric power generation plant was built and it generated direct current electricity. By 1896 this was improved and a 75 mega watt plant that generated AC power was built. By 1906 Canadians also have harnessed the water from the fall to generate electricity. Presently, the full capacity of power generation plants that tap resources of the falls is 4.4 Giga watts.

Transport
Ships are able to sail between Erie and Ontario bypassing Niagara Falls by sailing through Welland Canal. This helps transport of goods to a number of cities with the use of St. Lawrence Seaway. Two international bridges are there to connect the two countries close to Niagara Falls as well. Rainbow Bridge located close to the fall offers a good view of the falls as well.

Efforts on Preservation
In 1885 legislation was passed for the creation of a park around Niagara Falls on the American side and it was the first park in the state of New York. From then on wards the park was built with statues, roadways. Finally an observation tower built with glass and metal was added in 1959. From 1909 to 1950 volume of water falling from the American side was regulated to control erosion. In 1969 the weak areas of the river bed were strengthened after diverting the water to Horseshoe Falls.

Stunts
The first one to have leapt into the waters below from a tower close by at Niagara Falls was Sam Patch who did it in October 1829. As he survived many people did various plunges and jumps. Annie Edison Taylor who was a school teacher aged 63 went over the falls in a barrel on October 24, 1901 but she survived. Many others followed and some died. An American boy only seven years old by the name of Roger Woodward fell from Horseshoe Falls on 9th July in 1960. He was wearing only a life vest but was rescued by the well known boat Maid of the Mist. There were many deliberate efforts to jump over the falls subsequently and some have survived even after jumping over the falls without any protective gear.

Walks
The first one to have crossed the gorge on a wire was Jean Francois Gravelet who did it in 1859. Wire walking across the river below the falls has become a craze between 1859 and 1896 and many people did it but one man died in his effort. Maria Stefani is the first woman to have crossed the gorge on a wire and she did it in 1876 and was only 23 years old by then. In 1896 wire walking across Niagara gorge was made illegal by law. Nik Wellenda did it again on 15th June 2012 after obtaining permission from both Canadian and US governments but he had to carry his passport while crossing to be produced to Authorities in Canada after his stunt.
Other types of entertainments involving Niagara Falls

Television and movies
Niagara Falls has become a popular tourist attraction and a destination for honeymooners even by 1953 when the movie “Niagara” was screened in which Joseph Cotton and Marilyn Monroe starred. Afterwards, tourist arrivals went up drastically. Woody Woodpecker also has released an episode featuring the falls in 1956. There were numerous other releases as well.

Music
Ferde Grofe composed Niagara Falls Suit to appreciate the completion of Niagara hydroelectric project’s first stage in 1960. Also, another creation called “Niagara Falls” by Michael Daugherty was composed in 1997 and its theme was the National Park of Niagara.

Literature
G. Wells has based his novel “War in the Air” on a camp close to Niagara Falls. Many poets also have written poems on this fall.
Both in fiction and fine arts Niagara Falls has been featured quite a few times.

Tourism
During the summer, many tourists visit Niagara Falls during day time and during the night. From Canadian side falls of both sides are illuminated with flood lights. It attracts 22 million tourists at present. There are cruise boats for visitors to ride in order to get a close view of the falls. Maid of the Mist, the well know cruise boat has been in operation since 1846.

American side
In the American side facilities are in place to have a good view of the falls. There are walkways in the in the park and also the observation tower. The boat dock below could be reached by taking the elevator where one could take a ride in the Maid of the Mist boat. Also, it is possible to get a closer view of the Bridal Veil Falls from its foot. Boat carries tourists to the foot of the fall in order to help them take a good view.

In order to arrive at the Goat Island they are able to walk or take the Niagara Scenic trolley to arrive there. It offers guided tours of the park. There are helium balloon rides that will offer good aerial views of the falls. Also, helicopter rides are available. In case one wants to learn the history of Niagara Falls he could visit the Niagara Gorge discovery center. There is also a casino and a luxury hotel located in the Niagara city close to the falls.

Canadian Side
Queen Victoria Park located in the Canadian side offers a good view of American Falls as well as Horseshoe Falls. There are underground walk ways to arrive at the observation rooms where people could feel as if they are within the waters falling from the fall. An observation deck is there on the Skylon Tower located close by.

Tourists could take a ride in the Whirlpool Aero Car which is a cable car built in the year 1916. Also, they could arrive at the foot of the Horseshoe Falls by taking the elevator from the street level. There is an observation platform there for them to take a good view of the falls. Niagara River Recreation Trail spans a distance of 35 miles up to Fort George from Fort Erie. Two casinos and a number of hotels are there on the Canadian side of the Niagara Falls

gara hydroelectric project’s first stage in 1960. Also, another creation called “Niagara Falls” by Michael Daugherty was composed in 1997 and its theme was the National Park of Niagara.

Literature

G. Wells has based his novel “War in the Air” on a camp close to Niagara Falls. Many poets also have written poems on this fall.

Both in fiction and fine arts Niagara Falls has been featured quite a few times.

Tourism

During the summer, many tourists visit Niagara Falls during day time and during the night. From Canadian side falls of both sides are illuminated with flood lights. It attracts 22 million tourists at present. There are cruise boats for visitors to ride in order to get a close view of the falls. Maid of the Mist, the well know cruise boat has been in operation since 1846.

American side

In the American side facilities are in place to have a good view of the falls. There are walkways in the in the park and also the observation tower. The boat dock below could be reached by taking the elevator where one could take a ride in the Maid of the Mist boat. Also, it is possible to get a closer view of the Bridal Veil Falls from its foot. Boat carries tourists to the foot of the fall in order to help them take a good view.

In order to arrive at the Goat Island they are able to walk or take the Niagara Scenic trolley to arrive there. It offers guided tours of the park. There are helium balloon rides that will offer good aerial views of the falls. Also, helicopter rides are available. In case one wants to learn the history of Niagara Falls he could visit the Niagara Gorge discovery center. There is also a casino and a luxury hotel located in the Niagara city close to the falls.

Canadian Side

Queen Victoria Park located in the Canadian side offers a good view of American Falls as well as Horseshoe Falls. There are underground walk ways to arrive at the observation rooms where people could feel as if they are within the waters falling from the fall. An observation deck is there on the Skylon Tower located close by. Tourists could take a ride in the Whirlpool Aero Car which is a cable car built in the year 1916. Also, they could arrive at the foot of the Horseshoe Falls by taking the elevator from the street level. There is an observation platform there for them to take a good view of the falls. Niagara River Recreation Trail spans a distance of 35 miles up to Fort George from Fort Erie. Two casinos and a number of hotels are there on the Canadian side of the Niagara Falls as well.