Niagara Falls is the collective name for three
waterfalls that straddle the international border between Canada and United States of America, more specifically between the province of Ontario and the state of New
York. They form the sothern end of the Niagara Gorge. From largest to smallest the three waterfalls are the
Horseshoe falla, the American falls, and the Bridal Veil Falls. The Horseshoe
Falls lie mostly on the Canadian territory and the American falls entirely on
the American side, separated by Goat Island. The smaller Bridal VeiL Falls are also located on the American side
separated from the other waterfalls by Luna Island. The international boundary
line was originally drawn through
Horseshoe falls in 1819, but the boundary has long been in dispute due to
natural erosion and construction.
Located on the Niagara river which drains Erie Lake
into Ontario Lake, the combined falls form the highest flow rate of any waterfall
in the world, with a vertical drop of more 50 m. horseshoe Falls is the most
powerful waterfall in the America, as measured by vertical height and also by
flow rate. The falls are located 27 km north – northwest of buffalo, New York
and 121 km south – southeast of Toronto between the twin cities of Niagara
Falls, Ontario and Niagara Falls, New York.
Niagara Falls were formed when glaciers recede at the end of the last
ice age and water from the newly formed great Lakes carved a path through
Niagara Escarpment en route to the Atlantic Ocean. The Niagara Falls are
renowned both for their beauty and as a valuable source of hydroelectric power.
Managing the balance between recreational, commercial and industrial uses
challenge for the stewards of the falls since he 19th century.
There are differing theories as to the origin of the
name of the falls. According to Iroquqan
scholar Bruce Trigger, Niagara is derived from the name given to a branch of
the locally residing native Neutral Confederacy saho are described as being
called the “Niagagarega” people on several late 17th century French
maps of the area. According to George R. Stewart, it comes from the name of an
Iroquois town called “ Ongniaahara”, “meaning point of land cut in to”.
The enormous energy of Niagara falls has long been
recognized as a potential source of power. The first known effort to harness
the waters was in 1759, when Daniel Joncaire built a small canal above the
falls to power his sawmill. Augusts and Peter Porter purchased this area and
all of American Falls in 1805 from the New York state government and enlarged
the original canal to provide hydraulic power for their gristmill and tannery. In
1853 the Niagara Falls Hydraulic Power and Miming company was chartered, which eventually constructed the
canals that would be used to generate electricity. Today Niagara Falls is still
the largest electricity producer in new York State.
The cities of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada and
Niagara Falls New York U.S.A. are connected by two international bridges. The Rainbow
Bridge just down river from the falls, affords the closest view of the falls
and is open to non – commercial vehcle traffic and pedestrians. The Whirpool
Rapid Bridge lies 1.6 km north of the rainbow bridge and is the oldest bridge
over the Niagara River.