Niagara Falls is a powerhouse of nature, with over 3,100 tons of water flowing over the crestline every single second. This volume creates an immense physical force; water hitting the base of the Horseshoe Falls does so with approximately 2,509 tons of force. Beyond the visual spectacle, the falls are a massive engine for renewable energy. Collectively, the power plants on both the U.S. and Canadian sides can produce more than 4 million kilowatts (4 gigawatts) of electricity, enough to power nearly 4 million homes. The water travels at about 32 feet per second as it drops, and the sheer volume is so great that it actually erodes the bedrock, causing the falls to move back about one foot per year (though this has been slowed by water diversion for power). The "Thunder of the Waters" is not just a sound—it is the vibration of one-fifth of the world's fresh water supply (from the Great Lakes) plunging into the Niagara River gorge.
The Niagara River is a river that flows north from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. It forms part of the border between the province of Ontario in Canada and the state of New York in the United States. There are differing theories as to the origin of the river's name.