Quick facts about Niagara Falls
The birth of Niagara Falls can be traced back more than 12,000 years to the end of the last glacial period.
Niagara Falls is one of the world's largest waterfalls, second only to Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls in southern Africa.
Niagara Falls is comprised of three waterfalls: American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Horseshoe Falls.
Niagara River is actually a "strait" rather than a river, connecting Lake Erie with Lake Ontario.
Despite myths to the contrary, Niagara Falls does not freeze in the winter. However, the flow of water did actually stop completely for a few hours on March 29, 1848 because of an "ice jam" upstream in the Niagara River.
During periods of peak flow in the summer and fall, more than 600,000 gallons of water per second pour over Niagara Falls.
Twenty percent of fresh drinking water in the United States goes over the Falls.
Energy from the Niagara River has been harnessed for hydroelectric power generation as far back as the mid-eighteenth century.
Power generation facilities along the Niagara River supply more than one-quarter of all power used in New York State and Ontario.
Fifty to seventy-five percent of the water flowing along the Niagara River is diverted from going over the Falls to hydroelectric power generating stations.
Water diverted from the Niagara River for power generation has slowed the rate of erosion at Niagara Falls, allowing them to maintain their current shape.
Visitors interested in more information should contact the Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation at 1-877-FALLS-US or via the Internet at www.niagara-usa.com to request a free Visitor Guide or brochures about individual attractions.
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About Niagara USA and the Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation (NTCC)
In Niagara USA, there's more to experience than just the Falls. In this "all American" destination, history, romance, family attractions and gaming combine to form the ideal vacation, group and meetings destination. The Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation (NTCC) is Niagara Countyก's official, state-authorized Tourism Promotion Agency.
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