Niagra Falls is among the most famous tourist attractions in New York City and all over the world. The mighty power of huge volumes of water surging down the precipices and crashing into the rapids and river below is a truly awesome physical and psychological experience, which are seldom matched anywhere else. Imagine being able to witness this miracle of nature right in front of you as you take a short stroll up to the Falls or just lying at your desk and looking out towards the falls. If you’ve never been there, then you definitely should consider taking the following day trip to explore the impressive falls from the comfort of your own car.
Niagra Falls is also home to numerous hydroelectric power plants that harness the natural power and movement of water that naturally exist within the falls. These plants are responsible for producing electricity and heating water for cities all over northern Ontario. The following is information about the history of the falls themselves and the significance they hold to the indigenous peoples of Canada and the USA. According to new York waterfalls – facts and fiction, there are more than three thousand different types of falls in the area.
The history of Niagara Falls begins with the works of Ignatius Hoe, a Congregational minister from New York who is responsible for the design and construction of the first American Falls. He was born in Ireland and had learned the art of hydroelectricity while studying in Ireland. Hoe designed several dams in the north including one that still stands today in Wisconsin. He also designed the Horseshoe Fall where Niagara meets Lake Ontario. The Horseshoe Falls had another spectacular hydroelectric power plant built in 18FN.
The location of the falls was originally on the Niagara Escarpment, which is a sandstone formation. This is a tectonic plate movement, which is still continuing today. Over the last million years, the water of the Niagara River has carved its way through this limestone to produce the magnificent sight we enjoy today. Horseshoe falls consist of three different basins, Maidstone basin, Frenchman’s basin and Goat’s basin. All basins have different names; Maidstone basin is known as the “Love Gateway to Niagara”, Frenchman’s basin is called the “Upper Falls”, and Goat’s basin is known as “Queen Street’s Walkway to the Falls”.
The Horseshoe falls are considered to be among the most photographed locations in the world and there are several photographs that capture every drop. The falls can be viewed from many different angles depending on where you are positioned within the Escarpment. For example, those at the far ends have the most spectacular views because there are no trees or other obstructions to block the view. The photographs taken in this part of the Horseshoe falls can be considered classic, yet often overlooked. Many of the hiking trails head towards the top of the Horseshoe, where you will view one of the greatest views in the park.
Another view of the Horseshoe falls is not as scenic and visible from the ground. This view is taken from the air. This panorama was made when planes flying low over New York City spotted the rocks as they were descending. Now, the rocks are part of the landscape you can see from the air. It is interesting to know that the rock formation was not created by the last ice age. Throughout history, numerous cultures have interpreted the story of the Horseshoe falls, making it their own.