Picture this: a breath-taking rush of flowing water that causes you and your body to become numb, a powerful strike of shock that cultivates through you forming chills that you’re unable to discard for minutes, and a refreshing shower of Niagara mist surrounding you as your standing still entranced in the falls. Niagara Falls is not only known for its jaw dropping history, but for its overwhelming tourism. Approximately twelve million people visit Niagara Falls each year. Out of those twelve million, two million are people choosing this area to make that special bond with their true love (Geology). Niagara Falls is a place filled with serene happiness that everyone wants to endure, and are paying thousands of dollars to do it. This is the Niagara Falls you walked into, unknowing of its history, its tourism, or what it has grown to be today.
It is estimated that the famous Niagara Falls formed about 12,000 years ago, they were as much as seven miles farther down the river than they are today (History). Some might ask, “Where does this water that cascades over Niagara Falls come from?” Well, to answer that question, it comes from the Great Lakes. Little do some know that originally almost 5.5 billion gallons of water flowed over the falls every hour, but today the volume is controlled by the Canadian and American governments in an effort to slow erosion (History). This is because until the 1950’s, when water flow was becoming controlled, the falls moved backward an estimated three feet each year because of erosion (Fun).
Niagara Falls has been known for its outrageous daredevils. These daredevils all started with Annie Taylor. She was the first person who conquered Niagara Falls siting in a barrel. She climbed inside her airtight wooden barrel that was compressed to 30 p.s.i. with a bicycle pump and made it all the way down the falls in one piece (Daredevils). It is sad though; Annie went through Hell going down those falls expecting fame and fortune. She ended up dying in poverty without being recognized for her brave act (Daredevils). Even though Annie died in poverty, she led the way for numerous daredevils to take the same challenge as she did. But, before Annie Taylor even attempted her crazy scheme on June 30th 1859, Jean-François Gravelet attempted probably the most outrageous Niagara Falls crossing in history (Cavendish). Jean crossed Niagara Falls on a tightrope. This tightrope was more than 3 inches thick and sagged about 60 feet. It only took Jean 17 minutes to cross to the other side of Niagara Falls (Cavendish). Jean showed bravery that excited people from all around the world and prompted them to come watch all the performances. Niagara Falls is home to some of the world’s most famous daredevils, they find ways to conquer the falls and then find variations to keep each cross interesting. There is no doubt about it, Niagara Falls can and has been be used for some mind-blowing events.
People know about both Niagara Falls history and its beauty, but what most do not know is what they have grown to be today. Niagara Falls is the natural outlet from Lake Eerie to Lake Ontario. The average fall from Lake Eerie to the beginning of the Niagara rapids is only 2.7 meters (Geology). A lot of tourists who do not know much about Niagara Falls assume that the drop is a great amount larger than it actually is. It is known that the Niagara River is deep, but what is not known is that the deepest section on the Niagara River is actually under the falls itself. This section is so deep that it actually equals the height of the Falls above which is 52 meters (Geology). Not only is Niagara Falls fun to look at but it also helps the environment by being a source of hydropower. Niagara Falls produces large amounts of electricity all throughout Canada that helps its citizens save large amounts of money every year (Geology). Niagara Falls should be enjoyed for its breath-taking beauty while it is still here because with the state that erosion is in now, scientists say that the Niagara Falls will be gone in about 5,000 years (History).
Niagara Falls is not just a place for people to try daring stunts, a place to get married or an area to visit when you are in town. No, Niagara Falls is history. It has been respected time and time again for its graceful beauty and will continue to be recognized, as the years go on. Niagara Falls was a gift from God; it should be viewed for what it has become. One day it will be gone, but never forgotten, in the hearts of its advocates.