Niagara Falls History. An area 12,300 years in the making, Niagara Falls is a natural wonder unlike any other. The history of Niagara Falls goes back thousands of years, to the Ice Age, when large torrents of water were released from the melting ice, draining into what is now known as the Niagara River.

Niagara Falls is a natural geological phenomenon that formed approximately 12,500 years ago at the end of the last Ice Age, but it is heavily "managed" by humans today. While the three falls (Horseshoe, American, and Bridal Veil) were created by natural erosion of the Niagara Escarpment, their current appearance is a "blend of nature and technology." In 2026, massive hydroelectric plants divert up to 50% to 75% of the river’s flow away from the falls to generate power for the region. Furthermore, engineers have used underwater "remedial works" and dams to slow the natural rate of erosion—which used to be 3 feet per year—to about 1 foot per year to preserve the landmark for tourism. So, while the water itself is natural, the volume, the "curtain" of the fall, and its longevity are all carefully controlled through international treaties between the U.S. and Canada.