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The Canadian, or "Horseshoe", part of Niagara Falls is 180 feet high {60 meters} and 2,500 feet {833 meters} wide. The depth of the Niagara River below the "Horseshoe" Niagara Falls is 180 feet {60 meters} and as deep as the Niagara Gorge walls are high. The huge volume of water that rapidly flows over the "Horseshoe" Falls causes the rushing waters of the Niagara River to appear green in color. The water over the Niagara Falls comes from four of the five {fresh water} Great Lakes. From Niagara Falls, water flows down the Niagara River merging with the waters of Lake Ontario, then into the mighty, St. Lawrence River located in northeast Canada. These fresh waters eventually flow north into the Atlantic Ocean. Originally, over 5,000,000,000 gallons {about 2 trillion liters} of water PER HOUR flowed over the edge of Niagara Falls. Put another way, 35,000,000 gallons of fresh water per minute roared over the edge. Half of this water volume is now diverted {at night and during the off season} for hydro-electric power generation by the governments of Canada and the United States. Niagara Falls is the largest producer of hydro-electric power in the world, at this time. According to scientists the Canada "Horseshoe" part of Niagara Falls was originally located seven miles {eleven km.} downstream from its current location. Over the the years, they speculate, the Niagara Falls created the Niagara Gorge by water erosion, moving upstream at over 4 feet per year {1.33 meters}. Measurements have been taken since the 1790's and records have been kept since that time of the movement of the Niagara Falls. The younger portion of Niagara Falls is the "American Falls", which is 70 feet high {23 meters} and 1,000 feet wide {330 meters}. With only 10% of the water volume flowing from a small tributary of the Niagara River, a massive field of rock debris (100 feet high) continues to build directly below the American portion of Niagara Falls. Bridal Veil Falls is the portion of Niagara Falls between Luna Island and Goat Island.
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