Niagara Falls Runs Dry Day
Did you know that Niagara Falls, one of the world's most famous natural wonders, once ran dry in 1848? Discover the fascinating story behind this rare event.
Anyone who has ever visited Niagara Falls, whether on the American side or the Canadian side, can attest to the fact that its torrential gusts of water are powerful and fascinating. But that hasn’t always been the case!
Now it’s time to learn more about and celebrate Niagara Falls Runs Dry Day!
History of Niagara Falls Runs Dry Day
On March 29th, 1848, ice blockages caused the rivers surrounding Niagara Falls to run dry. This strange occurrence reduced the flow of water to such an extent that Niagara Falls’ usual 3,160 tons of water per second flow came to a halt. This unusual and unexpected situation was noted as the day the Niagara “ran dry from lake to lake”. The blockage over the great cataract lasted for around 30 to 40 hours and the flow was slowly restored again.
As it turns out, the first person to notice was a farmer from the area who was out for a stroll just before midnight on that cold day in March. The reason he noticed was because it was eerily quiet. The normally thunderous noises coming from the falls were absent and when the farmer walked over to look at the river, it had gone dry.
Because this occurrence was so odd, it was considered to be a day that was worth remembering and putting down in the history books. Today, locals continue to celebrate with Niagara Falls Runs Dry Day.
Although the falls have since been stopped a couple of times by scientists or bridge builders due to necessary studies or repairs, this time in 1848 is the only time recorded in history that the falls stopped on their own accord. And that, dear friends, is worth noting and celebrating!
How to Celebrate Niagara Falls Runs Dry Day
For fans of Niagara Falls, fans of interesting weather events, fans of history, or just fans of nature in general, Niagara Falls Runs Dry Day is a delightful time to mark a unique event and learn something along the way. Try out some of these ideas for celebrating the day:
Head Over to Niagara Falls
With plenty of great hotels located in the area, it’s not hard to head over to the Canadian or American side of this natural wonder to enjoy and celebrate Niagara Falls Runs Dry Day. Whether it’s the first time to the falls or its a regular occurrence, Niagara Falls Run Dry Day is an especially good time to plan to pay a visit to this natural wonder.
Learn Fun Facts About Niagara Falls
Get on board with celebrating Niagara Falls Runs Dry Day by learning and sharing some interesting facts with others. Mostly, because it’s just fun to learn but also to raise awareness for others who might want to celebrate the day as well!
Here are some delightful facts to share about Niagara Falls:
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Niagara Falls is likely around 12,000 years old. This actually makes it fairly young, considering the age of many other waterfalls in the world.
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Niagara Falls is getting smaller. Sadly, every year, the falls shrink back about twelve inches, but it’s unlikely to disappear any time soon – perhaps in the next 50,000 years or so.
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The water at Niagara Falls flows approximately 35 miles per hour or 56 kilometers per hour.
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The first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel and live through it was a teacher, Annie Edson Taylor, who did it as a stunt to raise money in 1901.
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