Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada

Skylon Tower- the miniature CN Tower

2nd largest falls in the world- made up of 3 fall (American, Bridal, and Horseshoe) Victoria Falls in Africa is larger Canada’s Horseshoe Falls is wider than American Falls American Falls drops farther

American Falls with smaller Bridal Veil Falls

Maid of the Mist

Behind the Falls

You will get wet!

American and Bridal Veil

You will often see a rainbow Over years, the roaring water has eaten away at the bedrock and moved the escarpment (the slope of the falls) back 7 miles upriver from its original location. However since dams were built and the hydroelectric plant has been in operation, erosion has slowed down in the falls area.

Arial View of Canadian Falls Horseshoe shape The Falls have eroded away the land The falls have moved back over 7 miles over 12,000 years Niagara Falls used to at the end of Niagara River where it empties into Lake Ontario. Over the last 12,3000 years, the falls have moved 7.1 miles down the river to where they are today. It continues to erode. The hydroelectric plant helps to slow the erosion.

Hydro Power Plant Niagara Falls area is the site of the world’s first hydroelectric power station. Canada’s power station, the Sir Adam Beck No. 2 Generating Station, was built in 1954. Seventy percent of Canada’s electricity comes from hydropower, and most of it comes from the Sir Adam Beck generators. This compares to approximately 25% of electricity world-wide coming from hydropower. Both Canada’s Ontario Hydro and the United States’ New York State Power Authority own and operate the hydroelectric dam. Since the slant in the riverbed directs water toward the Canadian side, the dam is located there. Normally, the Niagara River’s water flow is 212,000 cubic feet per second. Both governments agreed to maintain the water flow over the falls at 100,000 cubic feet per second from April 1 until October 31 so that tourists can see this enormous amount of water. In the evening and winter, the flow is restricted. The diverted water travels underground to fill up reservoirs.

Sir Adam Beck Power Station Hydroelectricity- converting the power of water to electricity United States- about 25% of electricity from hydro power Canada- about 70% of electricity from hydro power Worldwide, hydropower plants produce about 25% of world’s electricity and supply more than 1 billion people with power. It is the United States’ largest RENEWABLE energy source. Large amounts of water are channeled through a narrow passage. Power of water turns a turbine, which turns a generator. As it turns, it creates electricity

Niagara at Night

Dare Devils of the Falls Jean Francais Gravelet (Blondin) French tightrope walker 1859-1860 Carried people across on his back Carried stove to center and cooked an omelet

Annie Taylor 1901 65 year old teacher First woman to go over the falls in a barrel and live

1920- only body part found- arm 1911- broke both knees and jaw (died from mishap with orange peel) Didn’t make it

1951 – after Red Hill’s failed attempt- public stunting at Niagara Falls is illegal. Fines for attempting are $10,000 in Canada and $25,000 in United States. Both carry jail time and fines for ‘helpers’. 1985 and 1993 – Twice in a plastic barrel