About 12,000 years ago, Niagara Falls was 11 kilometres (7 miles) downstream from its present location. Until the early 1950s, the Falls eroded at the average rate of one metre (3 feet) per year.

Since then, major water diversions have spread out the flow more evenly, slowing the rate of erosion at the Falls. These include the Sir Adam Beck #2 Generating Station (1954) on the Canadian side of the border, the Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant (1961) on the American side of the Niagara River, and the International Control Works (1954-1963).

Horseshoe Falls Fast Facts

• The Canadian Falls is approximately 52 metres(170 ft) high.
• The crestline is estimated to be 675 metres (2200 ft) wide.
• The depth of the river at the base of the falls is actually higher than the falls itself. The river's depth is estimated at 56 metres (184 ft).
• The flow of water over the crestline of the falls is estimated at more than 168,000 cubic metres.
• The Canadian Falls was first described as "horseshoe" shaped in 1721.