Figure 1: Niagara Falls
Probably 99.99% of the Dutch population is familiar with the Niagara Falls, located on the border between the USA and Canada. The Niagara Falls is a set of two major waterfalls which were formed during the last ice age as the water from the Great Lakes flowed (and still flows, though form Lake Erie) via the falls to the ocean. The falls aren’t exceptionally high, but very wide as almost 450.000 m3 flows over the edge per minute on average. The names of the falls are Horseshoe Falls (Canadian) and the American Falls (USA) and a situation sketch, including a panoramic view of the falls are shown in the figures 2 and 3. The Horseshoe falls are the largest, accounting for 90% of the water flow.
Figure 2: Map of the Niagara Falls
Figure 3: Panorama view of Niagara Falls
The Niagara Falls are renowned both for their beauty and as a valuable source of hydroelectric power. Managing the balance between recreational, commercial (tourism), and industrial (power) uses has been a challenge for the stewards of the falls since the 19th century. Since 1950, the Niagara Board of Control (IJC), the water diversion of the falls is regulated. This means there is active control on the water flow of the two falls. Upstream from the Horseshoe Falls lies a weir with movable gates, which allows the flow to be reduced during night and winter when few tourists are around. Some of the flow is diverted to hydroelectric facilities, generating in total 4,4 GW of power. This flow is limited to half the flow from April to November, and 75% during other times.