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There was an event that took place back to 12,000 years ago at the end of the Ice Age. This was when large torrents of water were released from the melting ice that later drained into the Niagara River. There was water plunging over the edge of the Niagara Escarpment (now known as Lewiston, NY).
The water breached the Niagara Escarpment and spread from Niagara Falls New York side to many other regions like Ontario, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin. From that time till now, Niagara Falls has forever been forming and it takes a long time for it. The force of the water was so strong that it wore away the rock layers, causing Niagara Falls to move upstream and reach its present location.
Year after year, gradual erosions and periodic rock fall take place. To generate hydroelectric power, the volume of water has been reduced by diversion. There has also been ongoing remedial work to preserve the Falls.
The first set of people to witness and harness the power of Niagara Falls were the Native Americans residing as locals in that region. Soon after in December 1678, a French explorer named Father Louis Hennepin discovered it.
Forts were built at the mouth of the Niagara River, controlling access to the Great Lakes. This led to the region becoming a French stronghold. Between 1926 and 1934, the fort was restored and is now called Old Fort Niagara – an 18th-century fortress. It offers daily programming like live demonstrations and reenactments all through the year.
