Excerpt
Chapter 1: Welcome to Niagara Falls!
Water is powerful. It can carve through rock, wear down mountains, and shape the land in ways that take thousands—even millions—of years. And one of the best examples of that power is Niagara Falls.
Niagara Falls isn’t just one waterfall—it’s actually three: Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. Together, they make up one of the most famous waterfalls in the world. Every second, around 3,160 tons of water rush over the falls. That’s the weight of about 500 elephants every single second!
But Niagara Falls isn’t just about size. It’s about sound, speed, and energy. Standing near the falls, you can feel the ground tremble. The roar of the water is so loud that people have to shout to hear each other. And the mist? It rises so high into the air that it looks like smoke drifting up from the river.
This mighty waterfall sits right on the border of the United States and Canada. The Niagara River, which feeds the falls, connects two of the Great Lakes—Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. The river stretches for about 36 miles and drops 326 feet along the way, creating the powerful cascade known as Niagara Falls.
A Waterfall in Motion
Niagara Falls isn’t frozen in time. It’s always changing. Thousands of years ago, it was miles downstream from where it is today. As the water rushes over the edge, it slowly wears away the rock underneath. That means the falls are moving backward—just a tiny bit every year. Scientists think that over thousands of years, Niagara Falls could shift even farther upriver!
And while the falls may look wild and untamed, humans have had a big role in shaping them. In the past, the water eroded the rock so quickly that some worried the falls might disappear one day. To slow down the process, engineers built barriers and redirected part of the river. Today, some of the water that would normally rush over the falls is sent through tunnels to power hydroelectric plants, which turn the rushing water into electricity for homes and businesses.
More Than Just a Tourist Attraction
Millions of people visit Niagara Falls every year, and it has been a famous destination for a long time. In the early 1800s, people traveled for days—sometimes weeks—just to see it. Before airplanes and highways, visiting the falls was a huge adventure. But even before tourists arrived, Indigenous peoples lived near Niagara Falls for thousands of years. They had their own stories about the falls and respected its incredible power.
Some of the earliest explorers to see Niagara Falls were amazed by the sight. In 1678, a French priest named Louis Hennepin wrote about the falls in a book, describing them as a “vast and prodigious cadence of water.” His description helped spread the word about Niagara Falls to people who had never seen it.
Later, Niagara Falls became a popular place for honeymooners. Newly married couples would travel there to see the breathtaking views and take a boat ride right into the mist. Today, Niagara Falls still attracts couples, but it’s also a place for families, adventurers, and even scientists studying the power of water.
The Mighty Roar
If you’ve ever stood next to a rushing river or a big fountain, you know how loud water can be. Now, imagine that sound thousands of times louder. That’s Niagara Falls. The noise is so powerful that it can be heard from miles away. Before modern technology, some people sailing on Lake Ontario used the sound of the falls to guide them at night.
But Niagara Falls isn’t just noisy—it’s also fast. The water rushes over the edge at about 25 miles per hour, but in some parts, it speeds up to 68 miles per hour. That’s as fast as a race car! The force of the water hitting the bottom creates a constant spray of mist, which can sometimes form rainbows in the sunlight.
Waterfalls Like No Other
There are lots of famous waterfalls around the world. Victoria Falls in Africa is taller. Iguazu Falls in South America is wider. Angel Falls in Venezuela is the highest. But Niagara Falls is one of the most powerful waterfalls on Earth. It’s not just about size—it’s about speed, volume, and movement.
Unlike some waterfalls that are tucked away in remote jungles or deep in the mountains, Niagara Falls is easy to visit. People can walk right up to the edge, ride a boat into the mist, or even stand behind the falls in tunnels carved into the rock. There aren’t many waterfalls in the world where you can get that close.
A Natural Wonder Worth Protecting
For all its power, Niagara Falls is still a part of nature. And like many natural places, it needs protection. In the past, factories and cities dumped pollution into the river. This hurt the fish, plants, and even the falls themselves. Today, both Canada and the United States work together to protect Niagara Falls, keeping the water clean and the land around it safe.
Water is powerful. It can carve through rock, wear down mountains, and shape the land in ways that take thousands—even millions—of years. And one of the best examples of that power is Niagara Falls.
Niagara Falls isn’t just one waterfall—it’s actually three: Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. Together, they make up one of the most famous waterfalls in the world. Every second, around 3,160 tons of water rush over the falls. That’s the weight of about 500 elephants every single second!
But Niagara Falls isn’t just about size. It’s about sound, speed, and energy. Standing near the falls, you can feel the ground tremble. The roar of the water is so loud that people have to shout to hear each other. And the mist? It rises so high into the air that it looks like smoke drifting up from the river.
This mighty waterfall sits right on the border of the United States and Canada. The Niagara River, which feeds the falls, connects two of the Great Lakes—Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. The river stretches for about 36 miles and drops 326 feet along the way, creating the powerful cascade known as Niagara Falls.
A Waterfall in Motion
Niagara Falls isn’t frozen in time. It’s always changing. Thousands of years ago, it was miles downstream from where it is today. As the water rushes over the edge, it slowly wears away the rock underneath. That means the falls are moving backward—just a tiny bit every year. Scientists think that over thousands of years, Niagara Falls could shift even farther upriver!
And while the falls may look wild and untamed, humans have had a big role in shaping them. In the past, the water eroded the rock so quickly that some worried the falls might disappear one day. To slow down the process, engineers built barriers and redirected part of the river. Today, some of the water that would normally rush over the falls is sent through tunnels to power hydroelectric plants, which turn the rushing water into electricity for homes and businesses.
More Than Just a Tourist Attraction
Millions of people visit Niagara Falls every year, and it has been a famous destination for a long time. In the early 1800s, people traveled for days—sometimes weeks—just to see it. Before airplanes and highways, visiting the falls was a huge adventure. But even before tourists arrived, Indigenous peoples lived near Niagara Falls for thousands of years. They had their own stories about the falls and respected its incredible power.
Some of the earliest explorers to see Niagara Falls were amazed by the sight. In 1678, a French priest named Louis Hennepin wrote about the falls in a book, describing them as a “vast and prodigious cadence of water.” His description helped spread the word about Niagara Falls to people who had never seen it.
Later, Niagara Falls became a popular place for honeymooners. Newly married couples would travel there to see the breathtaking views and take a boat ride right into the mist. Today, Niagara Falls still attracts couples, but it’s also a place for families, adventurers, and even scientists studying the power of water.
The Mighty Roar
If you’ve ever stood next to a rushing river or a big fountain, you know how loud water can be. Now, imagine that sound thousands of times louder. That’s Niagara Falls. The noise is so powerful that it can be heard from miles away. Before modern technology, some people sailing on Lake Ontario used the sound of the falls to guide them at night.
But Niagara Falls isn’t just noisy—it’s also fast. The water rushes over the edge at about 25 miles per hour, but in some parts, it speeds up to 68 miles per hour. That’s as fast as a race car! The force of the water hitting the bottom creates a constant spray of mist, which can sometimes form rainbows in the sunlight.
Waterfalls Like No Other
There are lots of famous waterfalls around the world. Victoria Falls in Africa is taller. Iguazu Falls in South America is wider. Angel Falls in Venezuela is the highest. But Niagara Falls is one of the most powerful waterfalls on Earth. It’s not just about size—it’s about speed, volume, and movement.
Unlike some waterfalls that are tucked away in remote jungles or deep in the mountains, Niagara Falls is easy to visit. People can walk right up to the edge, ride a boat into the mist, or even stand behind the falls in tunnels carved into the rock. There aren’t many waterfalls in the world where you can get that close.
A Natural Wonder Worth Protecting
For all its power, Niagara Falls is still a part of nature. And like many natural places, it needs protection. In the past, factories and cities dumped pollution into the river. This hurt the fish, plants, and even the falls themselves. Today, both Canada and the United States work together to protect Niagara Falls, keeping the water clean and the land around it safe.