Thousands of glaciers receded at the end of the last ice age, the Wisconsin glaciation and carved way for the Niagara Falls through the Niagara Escarpment en route to the Atlantic Ocean.
Niagara Falls is the most famous waterfall in North America. It has been the favorite destination for honeymooners, daredevil stunt men, and travelers. The place has also been mentioned in the history books for the remarkable events that took place at the falls.
Where Is Niagara Falls Located?
More than six million cubic feet (168,000 m3) of water falling over the crest line each minute in a great flow makes the Niagara Falls extensively wide. If not the same, the average fall remains to be four million cubic feet (110,000 m3) round the year.
Niagara Falls is also said to be the largest waterfall in North America. The falls consists of three separate waterfalls, the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls (from largest to smallest). While the Horseshoe Falls lies on the border of the United States and Canada, the American Falls are on the American side. The smaller Bridal Veil Falls are also on the American side but are separated by the Luna Island.
The combined falls are located on the Niagara River which drains Lake Erie into Lake Ontario. They form the highest rate of flow in the world with a vertical drop of more than 165 feet (50 m). Horseshoe Falls is the most powerful waterfall in North America with a drop of 17 miles (27 km) north-northwest of Buffalo, New York, and 75 miles (121 km) south-southeast of Toronto, between the cities of Niagara Falls, Ontario, and Niagara Falls, New York. When combined, the average discharge crosses an astonishing 7,000 cubic meters per second which are nearly 85,000 cubic feet per second.
The falls also contributes to a significant amount of hydroelectric power to the electricity grid in the Eastern US and Canada. The statue of Nikola Tesla at the falls is a tribute to his accomplishments in being the first one to convert the energy of falling water into electricity successfully. This hydroelectricity is used for private and industrial purposes.
(Image Courtesy: Niagara Falls State Park)
Which Side Is Better?
#1. American Side
The American Falls can be observed from walkways along Prospect Point Park. The U.S. side also inhabits the Prospect Point Observation Tower and a boat dock for the Maid of the Mist. Goat Island is a hub of mesmerizing views of such falls and can be reached by foot or road vehicle through the bridge above the American Falls. Once you set your foot in the Goat Island, you’ll have access to the Cave of the Winds through elevators or even hiking. The Three Sisters Island is also a part of the Goat Islands. The Power Portal gives a clear view of the Niagara River, the gorge, and all of the falls.
#2. Canadian Side
Queen Victoria Park on the Canadian side exhibits manicured gardens, sightseeing spots which offer views of both the American and Horseshoe Falls. The park also offers an illusionary effect of being in the waterfall through the observation rooms resided in the underground walkways.
It is up to you to pick the better side!
Niagara Falls Activities
In addition to the scintillating view of the falls, the place also has some fun activities for the visitors. The Niagara Falls Adventure Pass is a bundle of joy. It includes all the Niagara Park attractions and experiences. The pass lets you enjoy the rides and gives you access to the Hop-on, hop-off bus transportation system that connects Niagara Parks with other tourist areas in the city.
(Image Courtesy: Holiday Inn By The Falls)
Which side would you like to visit? Let us know in the comment section below.
(Featured Image Courtesy: Niagara Fall)
1 Opinion
I have been to the Canadian side of the magnificent Niagara Falls a few times now, and every time I went there, it amazed and enthralled me in a different way. It is truly nature at its best. What I love the most about it is the Illumination. Beginning from dusk, every night, the fall transforms into a colorful masterpiece when water of different hues plummets tens of feet down. Everyone must admire this truly surreal sight at least once in their life.
Many people do not know this but even with almost 3160 tons of water gushing down from American, Bridal Veil and Horseshoe Falls every second, it is still not the largest waterfall in the world, neither in terms of width or height nor in terms of volume. There are approximately 500 waterfalls that are bigger than the mighty Niagara; a few of them being the 1600-foot Ribbon Falls of Yosemite, and 3200-foot Angel Falls in Venezuela, which is also the highest waterfall in the world.