Existing comment:
Prospect Point Viewing Area -- American Falls:
Geology:
The American Falls became forming here about 800 years ago as the Horseshoe Falls continued to erode the Niagara River Gorge in a southward direction. The American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls separated from the Horseshoe Falls at Goat Island about 700 years ago. Only 10% of the water from the upper Niagara River flows over the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. Because of this, they erode at a much slower rate than the Horseshoe Falls.
Statistics:
To produce hydroelectric power, water above the falls is diverted. When this occurs, the height and volume of the falls change. The average glow of water over the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls varies from 60,000-75,000 gallons/second. The height of both varies from 176-185 feet. The American Falls has a crest line of about 950 feet. The Bridal Veil Falls has a crest line of about 50 feet.
Rockfalls:
On January 17, 1931, approximately 76,000 tons of rock fell from the center of the American Falls. On July 28, 1954, the largest single rockfall ever recorded at Niagara Falls took place at Prospect Point. On that morning, a crevice appeared in the pavement and continued to widen. The area was closed off, and around 5:00pm, 185,000 tons of rock fell into the gorge. |