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Onguiaahra, great thunderer of waters….
By Amanda Bailey
 hen's
the best time to visit Niagara Falls? The day after Christmas, of
course. Well, not really, but that's when I ended up going. My boyfriend
and I had planned a trip to Toronto and Montreal, and being that Niagara
Falls is located about an hour from Toronto, we decided to stop in
for a visit at America's oldest state park. The last time I had been
to Niagara Falls was when my parents dragged my brother and I on a
"water" tour when we were kids. Back then, the highlight was getting
to wear bright blue rain ponchos on the "Maid of the Mist," an adventurous
boat ride that takes you into the heart of the falls.
 eturning
to the falls more than a decade later, I notice a groovy new visitors
center and observation tower that I don't remember from my first visit.
The Maid of the Mist was closed for the season (go figure), so no
ponchos. We decided to check things out from the tower and then walk
along the path along the Niagara River, which is actually a strait
that connects Lake Erie with Lake Ontario and forms an international
boundary between the United States and Canada. Nothing prepares you
for the rush you feel when you lean over the railing at Prospect Point
and witness the strength and beauty of the surging falls.
[
Niagara Falls Gallery 1 ]
 iagara
Falls is the second largest falls in the world next to Victoria Falls
in southern Africa. The park is actually comprised of 3 falls; the
Rainbow (American) falls, Bridal Veils falls and the Horseshoe (Canadian)
falls. These falls attract over 10 million visitors on an annual basis.
They've also attracted a fair share of adrenaline junkies, who were
willing to brave death for a possible moment of glory if they survived
navigating the falls in barrels and other watercrafts. The first barrel
rider to survive the falls was a 63-year-old Michigan schoolteacher.
Go Annie!
 id
you know that Niagara Falls is the largest producer of hydroelectric
power in the world? I didn't, but I do now. 20% of the world's fresh
water is found in the Great Lakes and much of it finds it way to the
falls. Water flows over the edge at a rate of 35 million gallons per
minute. That's a lot of milk jugs. Over half of this volume is converted
into power by both the United States and Canada. The majority of the
power is diverted during the night in order to preserve the majestic
view of the falls during the peak tourist hours of daylight. Presently
Canada generates approximately 70% of its electricity by hydropower.
Go Canada!
[
Niagara Falls Gallery 2 ]
iagara is indeed majestic and breathtaking. It is a wonderful wonder, one that I'm sure I'll be visiting again. So, be sure to beat the rush and book your own trip to Niagara Falls soon to witness it yourself. I hear December 26th is a popular day...
More information:
 Niagara Falls State Park
NY Power Authority Niagara Power Project Visitors Center
Niagara Falls Daredevils
Niagara's
Hydro Power as an Alternative Fuel Source
Report
on Hydroelectric Power at Niagara (PDF File)
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See past topics of Between Cattails here!
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