Niagara Falls Facts

There are three basic categories of Niagara Falls: American, Canadian or Horseshoe and Bridal Veil. In the middle of the Luna Island and the Prospect Point is where the American Falls is situated; the Horseshoe/Canadian Falls is in the middle of the Table Rock and the Goat Island; and the Bridal Veil is located in the middle of the Goat Island and the Luna Island. The Bridal Veil and American Falls have the same length of brick measuring 1060 feet. They also have equal height which measures 176 feet. They both have a volume of water amounting 150,000 US gallons every second. However, the actual volume of water of these two different falls may vary due to the presence of two hydroelectric plants that draw the water into reservoirs before it gets into the falls. This process largely affects the volume of water that the falls contains.

The amount of water intake by these hydroelectric plants can vary depending on two contributory factors. These include the time of day and the time of year. The water flow reaches its peak during peak season of tourist arrivals like the months of June, July and August. In case of emergency, the flow of water can be reduced by the companies that operate the hydroelectric plants and increase the intake of water.

The name of the Bridal Veil Falls is inspired by its physical appearance. This falls is situated adjacent to the American Falls. The American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are separated from each other by a small parcel of land known as the Luna Island. The Horseshoe or Canadian Falls has a brink that measures 2600 feet long. The height of the falls is 167 feet. The volume of water of this falls amounts 600,000 US gallons every second. Almost one-third of the Horseshoe Falls lies within the territory of the United States of America according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The tremendous water volume does not stop flowing but the flowing water and mist create formations of ice along the banks of river and falls. The accumulated ice formation can have a thickness of fifty feet. In the event that the extreme coldness of winter lasts so long, the ice can stretch entirely across the river and lead to the formation of so-called “ice bridge”. This formation can stretch down the river for many miles and it can reach an area called lower rapids.

Visitors were permitted to wander on the ice bridge to view the beauty of the Niagara Falls until 1912 after the bridge broke up where three tourists were killed. The tourists can also enjoy watching mini- icebergs that sits in the Niagara River. Niagara Falls facts can be very interesting to learn about. The flow of water over the American Falls was completely stopped for many months in 1969. This idea aimed at finding out if it is possible to remove the huge rocks from the falls’ base to enhance the appearance of the falls. In the end, everybody decided to turn down the plan due to great expenses.

Here are more Niagara Falls facts you should know about. The term “Niagara” comes from the Indian Iroquois term “Onguiaahra” which means “the strait”. There is an existing international boundary that separates Canada and the United States. Since digital cameras were not yet existing, tourists before sketch the Niagara Falls and have them as remembrances. Due to the popularity of the Falls, it was used as the setting of films entitled Superman and Niagara. What the tourists love about Niagara Falls is that it is bathed with spotlights of different colors at night making the falls more romantic, awe- inspiring and colorful.