10 Amazing Facts about Niagara Falls Ontario Canada

Facts about Niagara Falls Ontario: Niagara Falls Ontario Canada is a collective name of 3 waterfalls which straddle international border between United States and Canada, specifically, between state of New York and province of Ontario. They form southern end of Niagara Gorge.

From the largest to smallest, these 3 waterfalls are the Bridal Veil Falls, the American Falls and the Horseshoe Falls. Amazing Facts about Niagara Falls, Ontario make Niagara Falls a very amazing tourist destination in Canada.

Horseshoe Falls lies on border of Canada and United States and Canada American Falls entirely on side of United States side, which is being separated by Goat Island.

Smaller Bridal Veil Falls also are visible on side of United States, and separated from other waterfalls by Luna Island.

International boundary line was drawn through Horseshoe Falls in year 1819, but this boundary has been in dispute for long time due to construction and natural erosion.

Amazing Facts about Niagara Falls Ontario

1. NIAGARA FALLS IS 3 SEPARATE WATERFALLS: Straddling border between Canada and United States, Niagara Falls consists of the Bridal Veil falls, the American and the Horseshoe.

All of these 3 waterfalls originate in Niagara River, which is stretched for almost 36 miles from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario.

Horseshoe Falls are highest and widest waterfalls of three, which is around 2200 feet across with average drop of 188 feet.

American Fall comes in 2nd which is at 940 feet wide and, due to having large boulders at base, this waterfall drops between 90 and 120 feet. Smaller Bridal Veil Falls boasts a drop which is about same as American Falls, as they are just 45 feet wide.

2. NIAGARA FALLS IS BIGGEST WATERFALL IN NORTH AMERICA: Around 3,160 tons of water flows over Falls every second, working for about 660 tons over American and the Bridal Veil falls and 2,500 tons at the Horseshoe.

Niagara Falls Ontario Canada is largest waterfall in North America in terms of both volume and width, but there are around 500 waterfalls in the world which are higher, like 1600-feet Ribbon Fall in Yosemite.

3. ALL GREAT LAKES CONNECT TO NIAGARA FALLS: All of the three Great Lakes (Michigan, Huron and Superior) drain in Lake Erie, which get turns and drains in Niagara River.

4. THESE FALLS ARE YOUNG, GEOLOGICALLY: Glacial forces which create Great Lakes more than 12,000 years ago created a river named Niagara River and many of the features made up these Falls. Melting of glacial ice got emptied in the Niagara River, cut down the topography, and gouged out falls.

5. A FRENCH PRIEST WAS FIRST EUROPEAN TO DOCUMENT THESE FALLS: In year 1604, Samuel de Champlain made a very first reference to waterfall in the area, but his account wasn’t accurate.

Because of these inconsistencies, most of the historians believe that he was just passing on information what he heard from native people that he encountered.

First eyewitness documentation was done by Father Louis Hennepin, who saw these falls during 1678 expedition, and then later returned to France and published a book i.e A New Discovery.

6. NIAGARA FALLS PARK IS COUNTRY’S OLDEST PARK: In year 1885 New York Governor David B. Hill signed a legislation which created Niagara Reservation, this was agreed to be the very first state park in both the United States and New York.

7. THESE FALLS PRODUCE LOTS OF ELECTRICITY: In 1881, a hydroelectric station was built on Niagara River, it was very first hydroelectric station, and by 1896 this plant was able to produce electricity about 26 miles away to Buffalo, it was one of the very important event in history of alternating current.

During 1961, after Congress passed Niagara Redevelopment Act, New York State Power Authority opened a plant i.e Niagara Power Plant.

Today this plant generates around 2.4 million kilowatts of power and it is fourth largest hydroelectric plant in United States.

8. IT IS A TOURIST DRAW FOR OVER A DECADE: In 1825, completion of Erie Cana made an access to these falls too easier, and by late 19th century this area was known as Honeymoon Capital of World.

Now more than 12 million people visit every year to these Falls. Favorite excursions include tour on Maid of the Mist boat, this boat takes visitors in basin of Horseshoe Falls, and a trip which is down by 175 feet to edge of Bridal Veil falls.

9. A 63-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WAS FIRST PERSON WHO PLUNGE OVER THESE FALLS: Over around 15 years daredevils attempted dangerous plummet over these Falls, many in the homemade barrels. It is one of the amazing facts in Niagara Falls Ontario Canada.

But for the first this attempt was done by 63-year-old widow Annie Edson Taylor. Taylor visited these Falls in year 1901, and then became famous and rich by going over the Horseshoe Falls in a barrel that she designed herself.

Horseshoe Falls was a very smart choice—American Falls feature a very shorter drop, as this trip was more dangerous.

On 24th October, 1901, at around 4 p.m. barrel was set adrift in Niagara River and went over these falls 20 minutes later.

10. HOLLYWOOD HAS LOVED NIAGARA FALLS: In year 1953, Marilyn Monroe starred in Niagara opposite Max Showalter, Jean Peters and Joseph Cotten.

Cotten and Monroe portray very beautifully in which a couple honeymooning at these falls who was entrenched in sex, murder and lies.

These falls provided setting for opening of 1980’s Superman II, and Pam and Jim were married on Maid of the Mist in a 2009 episode.

You can visit www.ontario.ca to know about Government Services in Ontario.