Archive for July, 2008
Everyone knows about Niagara Falls, and millions of you have visited Niagara. But did you visit the Welland Canal while you were here? Not many do, at least by comparison to visiting the Falls, but the Welland Canal is an integral part of Niagara and what keeps commerce working for the millions of people that live around the Great Lakes.
It is through the 150+ year old Welland Canal that ships are able to get around Niagara Falls. The canal is about 45 kilometers (that about 28 miles) long running from Lake Erie to the south and Lake Ontario to the North.
Over half a billion tonnes of cargo goes through the Welland Canal every year, carried by more than 3,000 ocean and lake ships.
Where the water enters the canal at Port Colborne on Lake Erie, it is 99.5 metres (326.5 feet) higher elevation than where is exits at Port Weller on Lake Ontario. It is through a succession of 8 locks that the ships are able to travel to and from these two lakes, but also up and down the 99.5 metres.
The ships allow goods to arrive at or leave from cities such as Detroit, Cleveland, Toronto, Montreal and other cities and towns that dot the shores of this massive fresh water system. The Great Lakes touch Ontario in Canada, and Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and New York states.
You can learn more about the Welland Canal by clicking here.
If you want to learn about the lakes, the economic value, the environmental issues, maps and tourism, check out the Great Lakes Information Network.
There are actually three falls at Niagara.
The Canadian or Horseshoe Falls which is the largest in size and amount of water that flows over the crest. Then there is the American Falls, and last, and most ‘missed’ fall is the Bridal Veil Falls which is adjacent to the American Falls but is only 50 feet wide.
The perfect view of Niagara Falls. The Horseshoe, or Canadian Falls at the end of a perfect rainbow. (Picture credit, Jay Jay)..
Today I was waiting around for some folks near the Falls, so I decided to grab a few pictures. It is a soggy day. Rain, fog and heavy dew in the air. Still, it’s about 25C or 77F degrees.
From my vantage point above the Falls I could see up the Niagara River (not pictured here), the brink of the Canadian Falls, and a clear view of the American and Bridal Veil Falls.
I am looking over the roof of the Table Rock building, located right at the brink of the Canadian Falls. It’s a whole new renovation and you can read about it by clicking on this Table Rock link.
To the left of the American Falls you can see the Observation Deck on the U.S. side of the gorge.
To the right of the American Falls you are able to see a smaller falls, which is called the Bridal Veil Falls. Only 50 feet wide and often mistook as part of the American Falls.
A gray, no sun day with thousands of people walking the streets and parks of Niagara Falls.
