Gigantic cascade straddling the US-Canada border
Niagara Falls is in fact a group of three waterfalls, the largest being the Horseshoe Falls astride the border of the United States and Canada, with the smaller but nonetheless impressive American Falls and its sidekick the Bridal Veil falls being entirely within the USA. They are the step across which all outflow from the upper Great Lakes drops from Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, and onward up the St Lawrence River past Montreal to the Atlantic.
I visited Niagara Falls on a day trip from Toronto, seeing not only the falls but also the downstream whirlpool and hydroelectric dams, and the pretty little heritage town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, of which I unfortunately didn’t have the presence of mind to take any photos. Although the weather was ostensibly nice, the spray from the falls took me by surprise with its incredible all-soaking pervasiveness, for which I was woefully underprepared.
Typical tourist shot of myself and my travelling companions on arrival at the Horseshoe or Canadian Falls. We got very quickly drenched.
Onto the digital photos, and the Maid of the Mist tentatively approaches the Horseshoe Falls for the best close-up view. I wish I’d booked a trip – will have to save that for next time.
Full view of the Horseshoe Falls. They are 57 metres high and 790 metres wide, almost half a mile. Although not as high or wide as South America’s Iguazu Falls or Southern Africa’s Victoria Falls, the rate of flow places this cataract ahead of both by volume. The force of the falls is such that the water below as is deep as the falls are high.
Closer view of the east edge of Horseshoe Falls, which lies in New York State. The flow rate is in fact highly regulated, and is cut in half overnight and for the low tourist season, by diverting water through the nearby hydropower plants. This also has the advantage of slowing the rate of erosion and recession.
Close view of the west side of the Horseshoe Falls, including some brave and very wet tourists getting up close and personal.
Looking downstream to the American Falls, and the Rainbow International Bridge which straddles the border. Appropriately, there is a rainbow in shot too.
A little further back from the Horseshoe Falls, I was able to dry myself off a bit for another tourist shot. Or perhaps I hadn’t yet got up close by this stage?
Closer view of the American Falls, with Bridal Veil the separate small section on the right. What appears to be a broken bridge on the left is Prospect Point Observation Tower, which as well as providing better views from the American side, is the departure point of the Maid of the Mist.
The American Falls has in the past been fully diverted for erosion control, such that no water at all has flowed over. It has also been known to completely freeze.
Further downstream is the Niagara Whirlpool, not quite as exciting as it sounds but nonetheless worth a look. It’s the result of a ninety-degree bend in the Niagara River, and usually spins anticlockwise.
The Whirlpool Aero Car has taken punters across the river to the opposite Canadian side since 1916, crossing briefly into the USA while airborne. This particular punter did not however take up the opportunity.
There are hydroelectric power plants on both sides of the Niagara River: here I stand by the Sir Adam Beck dams on the Canadian side, which has produced power since 1922 although the section visible here dates from the mid-fifties. In the distance is the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, another international crossing.
Near to the dams is the famous Niagara Parks floral clock, a popular selfie spot these days I’ll be bound. My travelling pals informed me to throw a coin over my shoulder for good luck – much like the Trevi Fountain, but with mercifully fewer tourists.
The city of Niagara Falls has been built up along the banks of the Canadian side, and belies the beauty of the falls with its casinos and gaudy attractions, like Blackpool on steroids. Not one to be put off, here I model Robert Wadlow’s chair, no doubt donated to Ripley’s by the world’s tallest man himself.
A final shot in the mist-shrouded falls viewing area, squinting against the persistent moisture. Next time I’ll bring a jacket!
Created 2023
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