Niagara Falls is divided into the Horseshoe Falls�and the American Falls. The Horseshoe Falls drop about 173 feet, the height of the American Falls varies between 70-100 feet�because of the presence of giant boulders at its base. The larger Horseshoe Falls are about 2,600 feet�wide, while the American Falls are 1,060 feet�wide.



The volume of water approaching the falls during peak flow season is 202,000 cubic feet per second.� Since the flow is a direct function of the Lake Erie�water elevation, it typically peaks in late spring or early summer.

Viewpoints on the American shore generally are astride or behind the falls. The falls face directly toward the Canadian shore. Thus, the most complete views of Niagara Falls are available from the Canadian shoreline. It is about a two hour drive from Toronto.

The name "Niagara"�is said to originate from an Iroquoian word�meaning "Thunder of Waters". The region's original inhabitants were the Ongiara, an Iroquoian tribe named the Neutrals�by French settlers who found them helpful in mediating disputes with other tribes.

The cities of Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada and Niagara Falls, New York, USA are connected by three bridges: the Rainbow Bridge, just downriver from the falls, which affords the closest view of The falls and is open to non-commercial vehicle traffic and pedestrians; the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge, the oldest bridge over the Niagara river. The newest bridge, the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, is located near the escarpment.



In October 1829, Sam Patch�who called himself "the Yankee Leapster" jumped from a high tower into the gorge below the falls and survived; this began a long tradition of daredevils�trying to go over The falls.�



In the fall of 1993�John "David" Munday, of Caistor Centre, Ontario, became the first person to survive going over the falls twice.� Kirk Jones of Canton Michigan�became the first known person to survive a plunge over the Horseshoe Falls without a flotation device on October 20, 2003.

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