Fun Facts About Niagara Falls

• Niagara Falls was created by the movement of glaciers 10,000 years ago.

• There are 3 waterfalls - American, Bridal Veil (the smallest), and Canadian Horseshoe (the largest).

• Horseshoe Falls - length of brink - 2600 feet, height - 167 feet, volume of water - 600,000 U.S. gallons.

• American and Bridal Veil Falls, separated by a small piece of land called Luna Island - length of brink - 1060 feet, height - 176 feet, volume of water - 150,000 U.S. gallons.

• Niagara Falls borders Ontario, Canada New York in the United States.

• A number of people have tried to go over the Falls, although it is illegal. Some have died and some survived. The first to attempt it - and survive - was a 63-year-old woman who was a school teacher. She did it to make money, but it didn't turn out that way and she died penniless. Tighrope walkers have also crossed the Falls. The first one was in 1859.

• Goat Island is in the middle of the Falls between Horseshoe and Bridal Veil. There are no residents, but is popular with tourists visiting the American side. There are incredible views from the island. The island was named after only one goat owned by John Stedman (a pioneer and miller) survived the winter of 1780. He used to keep them on the island away from predators.

• Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in the United States, established in 1885. Is is over 400 acres, 140 of which is under water.

• 3,160 tons of water flow over Niagara Falls every second.

• The 4 million kilowatts of electricity generated by the Falls is shared by the United States and Canada.

• Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie drain into the Niagara River before emptying into Lake Ontario. The Upper Great Lakes carry one fifth of all the fresh water in the world.

• 14 species of rare plants are in the Niagara River Gorge.

• Niagara Falls has been a popular honeymoon destination since the mid-nineteenth century. In 1953, Marilyn Monroe starred in the film, "Niagara," as a honeymooner.

• The water never stops flowing, even in the winter. But the falling water and mist create ice formations on the banks of the river and falls. Mounds of ice can become 50 feet thick. If it is cold enough, a bridge can form across the river.

To read more about Niagara Falls, check out some of these great books and DVDs on Amazon.com:



Links of Interest:

Niagara Falls USA - http://www.niagara-usa.com/

Niagara Falls - http://www.niagarafallslive.com/

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