Is Niagara Falls Man Made or Natural?

Niagara Falls is a magnificent artwork of mother nature, attracting millions of visitors each year. Man only reserves the laurel of making interventions in these falls in the name of hydro-power generation and tourism. As for the three Falls that make up Niagara Falls, these are truly, entirely, and magnificently nature’s composition. However, there are many factors that show human influence over its existence.

Here, we provide you an interesting story of how the falls that lure millions of visitors today were actually formed 12,000 years ago and how humans have shaped its current shape. Before getting into the details of “Is Niagara Falls Man Made or Natural?”, let’s decode the term Niagara Falls itself.

What is Niagara Falls?

Niagara Falls is the second largest waterfall in the world, Victoria Falls in southern Africa being the largest one. The term “Niagara Falls” denotes a consortium of three proximate falls: Canadian Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. All three falls are on the Niagara River, which flows from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario.

How Nature Formed Niagara Falls?

Geological History

The end of Ice Age (around 12,000 years ago) and the subsequent glacier-melt set the stage for formation of Niagara Falls. As these glacial sheets melted and retreated, massive fresh-water lakes (the Great Lakes) came into being. Among these, Lake Erie began to run downhill towards Lake Ontario. As waters of Lake Erie rushed powerfully towards Lake Ontario, they carved out a steep cliff-like formation, the Niagara Escarpment.

Water Flow and Erosion

The water from the Niagara River flows over the edge of the Niagara Escarpment, creating the powerful Falls. Over time, the constant flow of water has eroded the rock beneath, shaping the falls. The rate of erosion is about one foot per year, though human efforts, such as controlling water flow for hydroelectric power, have slowed this process. Despite this, natural forces continue to shape Niagara Falls, ensuring its ongoing evolution.

Is All-Natural Niagara Falls Free from Human Intervention?

Humans have this (good or bad, or both) habit of meddling in affairs of nature – and Niagara Falls is no exception to this. Niagara Falls has been subject to human intervention whereby water flow was diverted from the river to run powerful hydro-electric plants, reducing the rate of water over the Falls to 50% of the normal flow. Diverting river-flow to power plants, in turn, has affected the beauty of the cascades. Apart from affecting the aesthetic appeal of the Falls, this intervention is also moving the Horseshoe Falls upstream some seven feet annually. You’d be amazed to know that human meddling has once made Niagara Falls run dry in 1969, when the falls was de-watered as a part of scientific survey conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Flow Control and Environmental Protection

In 1950, the Niagara Treaty was signed between the United States and Canada. This treaty established regulations for water flow, ensuring a minimum amount of water would continue to flow over the Falls during tourist hours. In addition, modern efforts have focused on slowing the rate of erosion. Remedial works, such as the construction of dams and other control measures, are designed to protect the natural beauty of the Falls and ensure its long-term preservation.

Niagara Falls Today: A Blend of Nature and Technology

Niagara Falls has become one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. Every year, millions of visitors come to witness its beauty. This influx of tourism has led to the development of hotels, attractions, and businesses around the Falls. While this has boosted the local economy, it has also had an impact on the landscape. Conservation efforts have had to balance preserving the natural wonder while catering to commercial interests. As more people visit, it’s important to ensure that the Falls remain protected for future generations.

Conservation and Preservation

The Free Niagara movement emerged in response to concerns about over-commercialization. It worked to protect the natural beauty of the Falls and limit excessive development in the area. Today, ongoing preservation efforts continue to focus on maintaining the Falls’ integrity. These efforts include regulating tourism, controlling water flow, and protecting the surrounding environment to ensure that Niagara Falls remains a pristine natural wonder for generations to come.

Future of Niagara Falls: Will It Ever Disappear?

Scientists predict that Niagara Falls will continue to erode at a rate of about one foot per year. If this continues, the Falls could eventually be replaced by a series of rapids in about 50,000 years. However, climate change may impact the Great Lakes and the Niagara River, potentially altering water flow and affecting the rate of erosion. While this process will take thousands of years, the ongoing changes remind us of the dynamic nature of the Falls.

Conclusion

So! The originally-all-natural Niagara Falls is no longer all-natural, as human meddling has made some irreversible transformation of the Falls that will continue to reverberate for decades to come. But this doesn’t mean the Falls are no longer spectacular. The beauty of the falls is just too much to be eroded by human interventions, and the changes so far are too minor to be noticed by the human eye. So, don’t you worry! You’ll get a full dose of awe-striking natural beauty once you visit these magnificent falls.