Niagara-on-the-Lake and Niagara Falls

Vineyards near Niagara Falls

After a bit of deliberation about where we would go today in the heat, it was decided to stick with the original plan and drive to the coastal town of Niagara-on-the-Lake where the Niagara River flows into Lake Ontario. This is a very pretty, albeit "touristy" town which attracts many visitors from the United States of America which is just across the Niagara River.

Despite the very hot and dry conditions the tree-lined streets and colourful flower beds make one feel a little cooler (even though it was about 36ºC.

Because of its rich soil and warm, humid and wet summer climate near the Greats Lakes, this part of southern Ontario is a deciduous fruit growing area with apples, peaches, nectarines, as well as apricots, plums, sweet cherries, and pears grown here. There are also many wine farms and wineries, this area producing 85% of Canada's wines, adding a further attraction for the thousands of tourists visiting Niagara Falls. We saw many people on bicycle wine tours.

Horseshoe Falls

Horseshoe Falls with the
American Falls in the distance

Of course the main attraction is the spectacular Niagara Falls and it doesn't matter how many times you fee the falls they are magnificent. (Click on the photos for slightly larger views)

The Horseshoe falls are on the Canadian side of the border and are viewed better from this side - hence the large amount of American visitors - oh and there are also casinos in the town which attracts them.

An interesting fact about the American Falls is that in 1969 it was decided to divert water from flowing over the falls for 5 months in order to survey the rock debris at the foot of the falls to determine if there was a way to prevent the falls from becoming a series of rapids over time. By the mid 70s they decided not to make changes to the rock wall  and to let nature take it's course.

Doing a bit of reading about the hydro-electric power generators at the falls I found out that in 1950 a treaty was signed by both America and Canada to limit the amount of water drawn off the falls to generate electricity so as to preserve the beauty of the continuous curtain of water over the falls. Much more water is drawn off at night between 10 pm and 7 am and stored in reservoirs on both sides to run the turbines.