by Craig Smith

"Niagara Falls," is actually a combined term for three waterfalls stemming from the Niagara River. That trio includes Horseshoe Falls in Canada, and the American and Bridal Veil Falls in the U.S.

Through power share agreements dating back to the early 1800’s, the Niagara River annually provides 2.7 Million Kilowatts of power to the US and 2.2 million kilowatts to Canada. That’s enough to provide power to 3.8 million homes.

The Niagara Falls used to erode almost ten yards a year, but currently that number is more like an inch. That’s because 75% of the water that would flow over it is diverted to produce the electrical power generated.

Niagara Falls has stopped flowing twice. The first, in 1848, was due to ice which broke up in Lake Erie, flowed into the mouth of the river, and refroze. While it started flowing again after thirty hours, all businesses and homes dependent on it for power were shut down.

American Falls diverted during erosion control efforts in 1969

It was intentionally shut off in the late 1960’s so that rock slides, which threatened to choke the river, could be engineered to safety. When it stopped flowing, three bodies were found: a man, a woman and a deer.

A third stoppage has been scheduled for years, and will be done to replace two bridges. That stoppage could last five to nine months.