Niagara Falls Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Do I need a passport to cross the border?
Where did the name 'Niagara' come from?
How tall are Niagara Falls, really?
Are Niagara Falls the tallest in the world?
What shape are the Falls?
Where does all the water come from?
Have the Falls ever stopped flowing?
How much of the water is being diverted for power generation?
Why is the water that shade of blue/green?
What is that foam below the falls?
How many people have gone over the falls in a barrel?
Has a boat ever gone over the falls?
How far have the falls moved over time?
Why isn't the "Cave of the Winds" an actual cave?
Why do they call it Luna Island?
When do they light up the falls?
When are the fireworks?
How many people visit the Falls each year?
Which side should I visit (US or Canada)?
Do fish go over Niagara Falls?
What types of Fish are found in the Niagara?
Where can I fish at Niagara?
When is Fishing season at Niagara?

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Do I need a passport to cross the border?   (Back to the list of questions).

• For US citizens traveling to Canada by car and returning home: No Passport Required.

• For Canadian citizens traveling to the US by car and returning home: No Passport Required.

• For all air and sea travel for US citizen entering into Canada: Passport Required.

  • Last updated March 2008

For more information:

• US citizens should visit the Department of Homeland Security's web site for Crossing US Border.

• Canadian citizens should visit the Canadian Border Services Agency's web site for Traveling to the US.

• If you have specific questions, try asking in our message board.

Prepare for crossing the border by car:

• Have proof of citizenship (a birth certificate or passport) ready to hand to the officer. Make sure everyone, including children have proof of citizenship.

• If bringing someone else's children across the border, bring a note from their legal guardian explaining that you have permission to take them across the border.

• Turn off radios and cellular phones when talking to border agents. Don't joke around.

• Make sure all prescriptions dugs have appropriate prescriptions labels.

• Declare souvenirs as items acquired for personal use.

• Declare all fruits, vegetables, plants, animals, birds, eggs, and meat products.

• Declare all alcohol and tobacco products.

• Declare all firearms.

• Dogs older than three months must have proof of a rabies vaccination.

• Agents searching vehicles is a common occurrence.  A tidy vehicle is make for a quicker search.

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Where did the name Niagara come from?  (Back to the list of questions).

When European first explored the Great Lakes basin, the tribe of the "thundering waters" were the inhabitants of the Niagara region. Although their actual name has been long forgotten, they were referred to as "Ongniaahra" by the Iroquois Nation of which they were apart of. French settlers referred to them as the "Neutrals," referring to their position in the Nation as mediators between tribes.

When European explorers began mapping the Great Lakes basins, they used accounts from local tribes to fill in gaps. It is speculated that eastern tribes may have described the Niagara region by referencing the Neutral tribe by their Iroquois name: "Ongniaahra." Like with many Native American names, it was subsequently "basterdized" by map makers and eventually became Niagara.

It is not known whether or not "Ongniaahra" was the original name for the region or for its inhabitants. The Neutrals were wiped out by 1653 during a tribal war with the Seneca tribe.

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How tall are Niagara Falls, really?  (Back to the list of questions).

If you read several Niagara Falls  informational placards, books and visitor's guides, you're bound to notice that many of them have different values for the height of the Falls. Which one is correct? Actually, all of them. Since the water flowing over the Falls is highly variable, depending on how much is diverted for power generation as well as seasonal flow, the depth of the water at the crest of the falls, as well as the water level at the pool below can vary, affecting the overall size of the Falls.  During peak tourist season, when the Falls see high volumes of water, there is a slight bump in elevation, as the depth of water at the crest increases by several feet, but this is offset greatly by an increase of water in the pool at the base. So as the water flow increases, the height of the fall decreases.

There are several other reasons to consider. Some people measure to the boulders below, which in the case of the American Falls, can reduce the total height significantly. Some measure to the river's water level in the pool, while others take the distance to the bottom of the pool.  Many numbers are rounded, distorted by heresy, or just estimated incorrectly. 

Take a look at the diagrams below to get an idea of the size of the falls during a typical summer day:

Horseshoe Falls

American & Bridal Veil Falls

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