Niagara Falls is a breathtaking and romantic wonder that has been the world’s honeymoon capital since its late 1880s grandeur.
This natural attraction in New York state near Buffalo on Lake Erie’s Niagara River attracts 12 million visitors yearly.
There are numerous activities, from wineries to water parks, theme parks to boat tours!
Here are some fun facts about Niagara Falls to learn before visiting.
The fastest-moving waterfall in the world with the highest flow rate
Niagara Falls is the world’s fastest-moving waterfall, which is an intriguing fact. It is also the world’s most powerful waterfall.
Every second, 700,000 gallons of water flow down Niagara Falls at up to 100 miles per hour!
It was formed over 12,000 years ago by glaciers. It is now 188 feet tall and 170 feet deep. Two million liters flow daily through Niagara Falls, or approximately 600,000 gallons.
It can reach up to 100 mph speeds, making it one of the world’s fastest natural phenomena!
Niagara Falls is made up of three waterfalls
Niagara Falls comprises the American Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls (named for its resemblance to a bride’s veil), and the largest, the Horseshoe Falls.
Canada and the United States share these falls.
The Niagara River feeds all these waterfalls, flowing from four Great Lakes — Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie — before merging into Ontario’s famous lake as a single body of rapids!
Each fall is approximately 164 feet tall and descends several levels across rocks.
It creates stunning views, which can be seen from nearby walking trails or simply by driving close enough with your camera ready.
Venture beyond the mist, dive behind the curtain – buy your Journey Behind the Falls tickets and unveil this thrilling activity of Niagara Falls.
Niagara Falls was created by the same glacial melt that created the Great Lakes
Many theories surround its formation, but all agree that the ice age shaped these more than 12000 years ago.
Massive chunks of North America broke off and fell into Lake Erie, leaving large cracks that began to fill up, forming what we know today.
Five Niagara Falls Tightrope Walks
Charles Blondin, who wore pink tights and walked across Niagara Falls in 1859, was the most daring tightrope walker at the turn of the twentieth century.
Charles Blondin was a tightrope walker who traversed Niagara Falls multiple times.
In 2012, daredevil Nik Wallenda became the first to walk a tightrope over Niagara Falls.
He walked in front of tens of thousands of people and had his journey broadcast live on television, allowing millions worldwide to watch!
It generates hydropower for both the United States and Canada
Niagara Falls is a fantastic hydropower source.
In 1881, engineers built the first power plant on the Niagara River to generate electricity for nearby cities such as Buffalo, New York City, Toronto (Ontario), Rochester (New York), and others across Canada.
This massive waterfall generates enough power.
If all the falls are used simultaneously, they will generate 1/4 of the electricity for New York State and the Canadian province of Ontario.
Several hydropower plants in and around Niagara Falls generate electricity for the United States and Canada.
During the summer, Niagara Falls uses less water for hydroelectric power generation, allowing visitors to enjoy a more powerful flow.
However, this increased intake generates more potential energy because of its inflow into Niagara Falls at night.
Historic Sites at Niagara Falls Canada
There are some fascinating historical landmarks in Niagara Falls. Old Fort Niagara, for example, is home to an ancient American flag.
During the War of 1812, British forces captured it. The ‘Flight of Five Locks’ is another significant location on the Erie Canal.
They built a device for lifting and lowering boats in 1815, which is still used today.
Visitors can view several exhibits about local American heritage and culture besides the historical flag.
These include architecture from each era and an exhibition about enslaved people who used secret routes to escape their owners’ grasp before arriving in Lewiston.
Check out the types of Niagara Falls tickets for the American and Canadian sides. Set on an unforgettable adventure of this cascading beauty!
Niagara Falls is remarkable for its youth
These are the most Interesting facts about Niagara Falls.
Even though Niagara Falls is approximately 12,000 years old in geographical wonder years, the exciting fact about Niagara Falls is that it is relatively young.
In terms of the environment, Niagara Falls is a newborn.
Samuel de Champlain’s account, most likely based on a story told by natives he met on his travels, provided the first mention of Niagara Falls.
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.
Niagara Falls supplies approximately 20% of America’s drinking water
Niagara Falls is the source of nearly one-fifth of America’s drinking water and approximately 21% of the world’s surface freshwater in The Great Lakes!
Despite its beauty and benefits, you should avoid drinking directly from it because it may contain microorganisms or parasites that are harmful to your health.
Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest park founded in 1885
The State Park is one of the most fascinating facts about Niagara Falls.
It is the oldest state park in the United States, established at the Niagara Reservation in New York.
More than 8 million people visit Niagara Falls State Park each year.
The Niagara Falls Association was founded in 1885 to protect the natural environment and prevent overcrowding from disrupting the natural ecosystem.
This organization purchased private land in the surrounding area to preserve its beauty for future generations.
The organization is defending one of nature’s most magnificent creations, Niagara Falls!
A woman was the first daredevil to survive a trip down the falls
Annie Edson Taylor was the first to fall down Niagara Falls in 1901. She improvised a mattress-padded iron and oak barrel.
These successfully kept her safe during the 1-minute drop into the water; she survived.
However, attempting this dangerous act in such dangerous locations is against US law.
It can land you in hot water, resulting in a $10,000 fine or even more, and compensation for rescue efforts.
Fish can survive above Niagara Falls
Because of the protective foam, 90% of the fish that swim down Niagara Falls survive! This foam protects fish from falls.
Jumping up at Cave of Winds in Niagara Fall State Park will allow you to see fish.
They try to reach Lake Ontario, which is above them. People used to say that a flying fish hit someone on its way down.
These people keep an eye on Cave of Winds.
The color of the water is always green
The Niagara River’s green color is a visible tribute to the erosive power of water.
An estimated 60 tons of dissolved minerals are swept over Niagara Falls every minute.
The color is caused by dissolved salts and “rock flour.”
It is very finely ground rock sourced primarily from the limestone bed and possibly from the shales and sandstones beneath the limestone cap at the Falls.
Unlock the hidden wonders of Niagara Falls with exciting facts about Niagara Falls you probably didn’t know!
Featured Image: Niagarafallstourism.com
