Friday 20 March 2009

Niagara Falls


I find the picture on the right, of a frozen Niagara Falls, fascinating. It's as if the power of the water has been encapsulated in the ice. The picture was taken in 1911.
Niagara Falls
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 has been a challenge for the stewards of the falls since the 1800s. The Niagara Falls are massive waterfalls on the Niagara River, straddling the international border between the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of New York. Niagara Falls is made up of three drops, Horseshoe Falls, the majority of which lies on the Canadian side of the border, and American Falls on the American side.These two major sections are separated by Goat Island. The smaller Bridal Veil Falls also is located on the American side, separated from the main falls by Luna Island. The Falls are 167 ft (52m) high. More than six million cubic feet of water falls over the crest line every minute at high flow. It is the most powerful waterfall in North America.