About 12,000 years ago, Niagara Falls was 7 miles downstream from its present location.  Until the early 1950s, the Falls eroded at the average rate of 3 feet per year.   Major water diversions over the years have spread the flow more evenly, slowing the rate of erosion.  These include the Sir Adam Beck #2 Generating Station (1954) on the Canadian side of the border, the Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant (1961) on the American side, and the International Control Works (1954-1963) above the Falls.

Falls Fast Facts
 

• the Canadian Falls is approximately 170 feet high
• the crest line is estimated to be 2200 feet wide.
• the depth of the river at the base of the falls 184 feet 
• the flow of water over the crystalline 168,000 cubic metres. 
• See our section on History for more information