Niagara Falls

• The three most popular natural attractions in the U.S. are (1) The Grand Canyon (Arizona), (2) Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming), and (3) Niagara Falls (New York)
• Niagara Falls consists of both American Falls and Horseshoe Falls, which are separated by Goat Island.
• The international boundary line between the cities of Niagara Falls, New York, in the U.S. and Niagara Falls, Ontario, in Canada, splits the Niagara River, Goat Island, and American Falls in half.
• Niagara Falls is an important source of hydro-electric power.
• The source of the falls is Lake Erie, some 17 miles upstream from the present location of the falls.
• Since the time they were formed 10,000 years ago, the falls have eroded about 300 feet per century (about ten miles total) back up the Niagara River to its source.
• By the time the falls eats its way through the limestone base and back to its source (in about 25,000 years!), most of the lake will drain away—and Niagara Falls will disappear.