Did you know that the Niagara Falls are formed of three waterfalls that extend along the international border between Ontario, Canada, and New York? Like the massive scale proves its existence, the Niagara Falls are very famous and beautiful that even if one never visited it, they are familiar with it. Every year there are tons of tourists who visit there to seek for the life-changing experience that nature could offer.
Some more interesting facts about the Niagara Falls is that all of the falls were turned off for a few months in 1969. As the engineers drained the water, they found dead bodies which surprisingly was less than they have expected.
With the glorious beauty and spectacular view that nothing else can offer, the Niagara Falls keeps so much history and stories inside. Here are interesting facts about the Niagara Falls that will make you want to observe and experience the beauty some time in your life.
If you were to wander by the falls in 1969, you might’ve noticed that something was a bit off.
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American Falls, one of the three waterfalls, is known for a giant rock pile at the base of the fall.
These rocks are because of the natural rockslides that happen over time.
But in the late ’60s, there was some concern regarding these rockslides.
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There was concern that as more rockslides occurred, the rocks would erode the falls away.
What if the Niagara Falls ceased to exist?
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It was a worrisome thought, obviously.
In order to avoid that happening, and to study the composition of the falls, an American-Canadian commission decided that it was best to drain the falls for a total of five months.
The draining took place in June 1969.
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The flow of water into the American Falls was diverted into Horseshoe Falls, and the American Falls were dry.
After the falls were dry, the US Army Corps of Engineers began their investigation.
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Let’s take a moment to really imagine this. This was a huge effort and complicated process.
Also, what on earth do you find when you drain the falls?
Two corpses, apparently.
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The investigative team found two dead bodies, which is a lot less than they expected.
The falls has a history of suicides and accidents, so this number can seem low to some.
Predictably, there was a lot of excitement from tourists as the investigation went on.
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As the engineers did their work to study the geographical landscape and research the rocks, tourists were delighted to collect coins that people had tossed into the falls over the years.
I imagine it was a bit of a treasure trove.
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Although, I would feel bad collecting coins that people had thrown into the falls as they made a wish.
It would feel like stealing wishes, would it not?
Many tests were done so engineers could gather their data.
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The engineers planted instruments in order to monitor the movements of the rocks.
Just as well, cables and steel bolts were implanted to stabilize the rocks.
They drilled holes for drainage in order to relieve the hydrostatic pressure in some locations.
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But what about all the rocks at the base of the fall?
The general thought that the team had was to leave them where they were.
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The engineers knew they could remove all of them, but decided it was a waste of effort for something that ended up being just an aesthetic problem.
So when did they decide to refill the falls?
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In November 1969, American Falls had water flowing through it again after the investigation was complete.
It’s crazy to think about the falls being dry.
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There are so many interesting and cool facts about the Niagara Falls.
We’ve already covered this, but the Niagara Falls are made up of three separate waterfalls.
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If you’re like me, then for most of your life you assumed the falls were just one giant waterfall.
But as previously stated, there are three: Horseshoe, American and Bridal Veil.
The falls aren’t the biggest in the world.
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They’re definitely the biggest in North America, though. But there are roughly 500 waterfalls that are higher than Niagara in the world.
Niagara Falls connects all of the Great Lakes.
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Is it normal to find this fact kind of adorable? It’s like a giant group hug, with lakes.
The falls aren’t that old.
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It may feel like the Niagara Falls have been around forever, but that isn’t the case.
Geographically, the falls are still considered to be in their “infancy” stage.
Can you guess who was the first person to ever plunge over the falls?
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A 63-year-old woman! In 1901, Annie Edson Taylor decided that her path to fame and fortune was to plummet over the falls in a homemade barrel.
She survived but she did not become rich.
Where does the word “Niagara” come from?
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It comes from the Iroquois word “Onguiaahra” meaning “the strait.”
Before photography, tourists were forced to sketch pictures of the falls.
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If you wanted a selfie, forget it. You’d have to bring along a friend to sketch you and the falls.
The Horseshoe Falls are the biggest, and the Bridal Veil Falls are the smallest.
View this post on InstagramRight before I went over in a barrel.. ?? #niagarafalls
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Despite the varying size, they’re all equally beautiful.
What created the Niagara Falls?
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The falls were created by glacier activity that occurred roughly 10,000 years ago.
The longest drop (vertically) is 165 feet.
I would not be interested in taking that plunge, thank you very much.
The first tightrope walker crossed the falls in 1859.
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Again, this is not something that I would ever do, nor would I advise anyone to ever do it.
Can everyone stay happily planted on the ground?
The Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest in the United States.
It’s been around since 1885. That’s one old state park.
30 million people visit every year.
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And judging by these unbelievable pictures, for good reason. The falls are absolutely captivating.
In 2012, a tightrope walker crossed the falls.
Nik Wallenda was the first person to cross the falls by tightrope in 116 years!
He had to get permission from both the US and Canadian governments. He also had to carry his passport with him when he entered the Canadian side of the falls.
Scientists think that the falls will eventually be gone.
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But probably not for around 50,000 years, so we don’t have to worry about it.
Did you know that there’s an island in the center of the falls?
It’s called “Goat Island” and is nestled between Horseshoe Falls and Bridal Veil Falls.
So, when are you planning your trip to Niagara Falls?
Just don’t walk over them on a tightrope or decide to make yourself a barrel for plummeting.
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Niagara Falls is one of nature’s most famous landmarks.
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The name actually refers to three waterfalls – the Horseshoe Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls, and the American Falls, which may explain their large size.
The Falls are located on the US-Canadian border.
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One side of Niagara Falls is in New York State, while the other is in Ontario, Canada (near to Toronto).
The Falls are a hugely popular tourist attraction.
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Visitors can even take a trip under the falls, in the famous Maid of the Mist boat.
The Falls is one of those views which has to be seen to be seen to be believed.
Niagara Falls are a huge part of Canada’s identity.
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Alongside hockey, maple syrup, and being stereoptypically polite, the natural wonder is one of the first things that comes to mind when you think of Canada.
Niagara Falls also have a place in popular culture.
Here they feature in Jim Carrey’s deistic comedy Bruce Almighty. Carrey stars as a down-on-his-luck small time news reporter, forced to wear a silly hat for a supremely trivial news piece.
And who could forget The Office?
Niagara Falls hosted longtime sweethearts Jim and Pam’s secret wedding – before they went off to their actual wedding, which they had guessed their office-mates might have made a little bit weird.
Niagara Falls have a firm place in the collective consciousness.
There’s just something magnificent about the amazing views – particularly when you consider that there has been no human intervention in their beauty.
But have you considered what happens to them as temperatures drop?
Canada and New York State have a reputation for some of the world’s most brutal winters – so it seems natural than Niagara Falls would be privy to some particularly harsh weather during the colder months.
Yet we tend to think of them as a summery location.
The majority of times we think of Niagara Falls, we picture something more like this. Clear, blue skies, sun shining, and the waterfalls… well, falling.
So what happens when things get chilly?
Well, these past few days have answered our question. This week, temperatures around the world have dropped to the lowest we’ve seen this winter.
You may be picturing the Niagara Falls winter edition as something like this.
Pretty cold-looking, for sure. But still very much a waterfall.
Well, you’d actually be quite mistaken.
Some of the first impressions we had of the terrain were from this Instagram video.
In it, a boat traverses through the waters under the Niagara falls – and they seem to be pretty much frozen solid, plus with a thick layer of snow on top.
The same account shared more pics.
This view from the top of the falls was particularly spectacular, featuring surreal-looking clumps of snow.
Then the pics starting coming in thick and fast.
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This one is a personal favourite, and shows mystical shards of ice alongside a partially buried-in-the-snow cabin.
People were keen to get a snap of the rare sight.
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News outlets picked up on the story – asking many of the social media posters for permission to share the images.
Like this fun selfie.
View this post on InstagramFriends trip! ?? . . . #Niagarafalls #Canada #Ontario #Viajes #Travel #Trip #Selfie #Friends
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This shot, more typically of Instagram fare, really puts into perspective how adverse the weather conditions are. While the other shots look a little bit other-worldly, this confirms that Niagara Falls really are frozen.
Everyone wanted a piece of the action.
Those who lived nearby ventured out on what has been called the coldest day of the year, in order to get some truly breathtaking pics.
Even official Instagram pages got in on the fun.
This shot, shared by the Niagara Parks account, is especially breathtaking. Just look how thick the layer of snow is on that spindly branch!
The images from the viewing platform were incredible.
View this post on InstagramAn icy winter view from the platform of Journey Behind the Falls ❄️ ?: @argenel #NiagaraParks
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The way the cascades of water appear to have frozen almost instantly is truly magical.
In fact, it reminded some of a Disney classic.
The 2013 hit, Frozen.
People have drawn comparisons between the fantastical landscape of the animated movie, and the very real terrain of Niagara Falls.
The film features truly stunning icy landscapes.
Although these ones aren’t real, they’re almost as breathtaking as the shots of Niagara Falls this past week.
We can certainly see the resemblance.
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When you consider that Mother Nature has created something that took animation professionals such a long time to painstakingly design, it really does seem miraculous.
It’s hard to believe shots like this are real.
Honestly, the terrain seems like something out of a fairy tale. Or, like, an apocalyptic movie. One of the two.
We’re a particular fan of the social media vids.
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Something about seeing the terrain in a moving image makes it seem more… real?
Although we bet nothing compares to seeing them in real life.
Anyone else seriously tempted to book a flight to Toronto? For such a rare sight, it might just be worth it!
Although it’s clear these temperatures are no joke.
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The extreme cold can be extremely dangerous, particularly for homeless individuals. Niagara Falls appear to be doing all they can to keep everyone as safe as possible during this cold period.
But at least there’s one benefit to this horrendous weather.
We’re absolutely loving these pictures, and can’t wait to see more. Keep ’em coming, internet!
We’re sure Elsa would be loving it.
Although we don’t have quite the same attitude. We hugely appreciate being able to look at these spectacular pictures from the comfort of the indoors.