Have you ever heard of Niagara Falls? It’s a super cool place that many people call the eighth wonder of the world! Imagine tons of water rushing down with a loud roar and creating a misty cloud. It’s so amazing that millions of people visit every year just to see it!
Niagara Falls is located right on the border between the United States and Canada. It’s a famous spot that about 13 million people visit each year! The falls are made up of three different waterfalls: the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls, which is also called the Canadian Falls.
Horseshoe Falls is the biggest of the three waterfalls and is mostly on the Canadian side. It has a huge drop of about 170 feet (that’s like a 17-story building!) and is 2,700 feet wide. Most of the water, about 90%, flows over Horseshoe Falls, making it the star of the show!
The American Falls is the second largest and is separated from the Bridal Veil Falls by a tiny island. Bridal Veil Falls is the smallest, only 56 feet wide. Together, these two falls handle about 10% of the water at Niagara Falls.
The Niagara River is where all this water comes from. It flows from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. During the busiest times, a whopping 750,000 gallons of water rush over the falls every second! That’s enough to fill a swimming pool in just a few seconds. You can even see the mist from the falls from over 20 miles away!
Niagara Falls has been a favorite spot for people on their honeymoons and tourists for a long time. In 1885, it became New York’s first state park to keep it beautiful. Besides being pretty, the falls have been used to make electricity for over 100 years. In 1895, two smart guys named Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse built the first big power station there, helping to bring electricity to lots of places.
Niagara Falls has also attracted some brave (and sometimes a bit crazy) people called daredevils. They’ve tried all sorts of stunts, like walking on a tightrope across the gorge or going over the falls in barrels. In 1901, a 63-year-old teacher named Annie Edison Taylor was the first person to survive going over the falls in a barrel. She said, “No one ought ever do that again.” Even though it’s dangerous, some adventurers still try to take on the falls today!
Today, Niagara Falls is still a huge attraction, bringing people from all over the world. Whether you’re there to see its beauty, learn about its power, or hear stories of daring adventures, Niagara Falls is a place that leaves a lasting memory for everyone who visits!
Waterfall Model Creation: Gather some materials like clay, cardboard, and blue paint. Create a small model of Niagara Falls, including the three waterfalls: Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. Use the clay to shape the falls and the cardboard for the base. Paint the water areas blue to represent the rushing water. Once your model is complete, explain to a family member or friend how the water flows over each of the falls and which one is the biggest.
Water Flow Experiment: With the help of an adult, use a garden hose or a large pitcher of water to simulate the flow of water over a small slope in your backyard or a sandbox. Observe how the water moves and creates small streams or waterfalls. Discuss how this is similar to the way water flows over Niagara Falls. Try changing the slope or the amount of water to see how it affects the flow.
Imagine and Draw: Imagine you are a visitor at Niagara Falls. Draw a picture of what you might see, including the mist, the falls, and any people or animals that might be nearby. Think about what sounds you might hear and what the air might feel like. Share your drawing with your class and describe your imaginary visit to Niagara Falls.
