Niagara Falls

Historians tell us that the Niagara region was actually inhabited by people some 12,000 years ago. Although the environment was quite different at that time, seen as spruce forest and tundra, it was still beautiful. This era was called the Palaeo Indian Period, lasting some 9,000 years. The people called Clovis were nomadic hunters who camped along the shoreline. Then 9,500 years ago, this area around Niagara Falls was deciduous forest that covered the majority of Ontario’s south region. Hungers and gatherers lived in this period known as Archaic.

Moving ahead in history, the next period called the Woodland, would last up until 300 years ago. At this time, agriculture was a huge industry, consisting of beans, squash, and corn. With an abundance of food and shelter, the area began to expand and with this, numerous small villages were built. During the Woodland Period, ceramics and burial rituals were also introduced to the people of Ontario and a political system was created.


From that time forward, Ontario experienced many new changes in policies, politics, religion, and territory. Today, Niagara Falls is considered one of the wonders of the world and with good reason. For example, the falls are actually categorized by three separate names. First is the American Falls, which runs from Prospect Point to Luna Island, the second is Bridal Veil Falls, running between Luna Islands and Goat Island, and last, Canadian/Horseshoe Falls, which runs from Goat Island to Table Rock.

To give you an idea why Niagara Falls is so impressive, consider the facts. Both American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are 176 feet tall. The volume of water is so massive that 150,000 gallons are pumped every second. Keep in mind that this volume varies depending on how much water is being drawn in by the two hydroelectric plants. Regardless, the numbers are astounding.

For Canadian/Horseshoe Falls, the brink is a staggering 2,600 feet and the falls are 167 feet. If you thought, the volume of water going through the first two falls was impressive, this fall processed 600,000 gallons per second! Niagara Falls as a while resides on about one-third of United States territory with the remainder on the Canadian side.

Today, more than 12 million people come to see this majestic site each year and because it is romantic and mystical, it has become a popular location for couples to become engaged. Interestingly, Niagara Falls is the second largest falls on the planet, following the South Africa falls known as Victoria Falls. At the bottom of the falls, the water travels a full 15 miles over a number of gorges where it finally reaches the fifth Great Lake Ontario.

While some of the flow has been controlled by man, not all can be. Even with modern technology, the falls are simply too vast and too powerful. Even though it gets very cold there, because there is such a tremendous volume of constantly moving water, the falls do not freeze. However, on the banks of the falls and rivers, the water does end up with some ice formations.

It used to be that visitors to Niagara Falls could walk out onto the ice bride, looking up at the falls but in 1912, the bride broke, killing three tourists. From that day forward, boat tours have provides a safe opportunity for visitors to get up close and personal, as they marvel in the sheer size of the falls.


Last Updated: 10/19/2006 3:14:00 PM

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