Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Geography both divides and unites this region. The U.S. and Canadian sides of Niagara
Falls are physically separated by the Niagara River, but they share these same geographical
features that give the region its identity.
About 12,000 years ago, the entire area was covered by a glacier that was more than a
mile thick. As the earth's climate warmed, the glacier retreated. The glacier's movement
created the basins of the Great Lakes, and the melting glacier filled the lakes with freshwa-
ter. Today, the Great Lakes contain 20 percent of all the liquid freshwater in the world.
The Great Lakes flow from Lakes Superior to Michigan to Huron to Erie, and then to
LakeOntario.LakeErieismorethan320feethigherinelevation thanLakeOntario,which
means the water flows downhill (via the Niagara River) between the two bodies of water.
The river flows over an escarpment during its journey downstream, resulting in Niagara
Falls.Just12,000yearsago,NiagaraFallswassevenmilesdownstream.Theerosivepower
of the water cut a gorge from its original location, causing the waterfall to recede to where
it is today.
