Whirlpool Rapids

The violent waters of the Whirlpool Rapids flow into the Eddy Basin before entering the Whirlpool. A major change took place here about 7,000 years ago, when water volume was low. The connection between Lake Huron and Lake Erie was cut off and the Upper Great Lakes drained through the Ottawa River and St. Lawrence Valley. Only the flow from Lake Erie went over Niagara Falls, and because of this a narrow gorge and shallow riverbed were formed. Today, the flow of water coming from the wider Upper Great Gorge is channeled into the narrow section, thus creating the turbulent Whirlpool Rapids. Upstream are the Whirlpool Rapids Bridges, built here because this was the narrowest point across the Niagara Gorge. In 1848 a kite was used to get the first cable across the gorge for building the suspension bridge. In all, five bridges were built in this area. The Lower Steel Arch Bridge opened in 1897, replacing the Roebling Railroad Suspension Bridge of 1855. The Michigan Central, now Conrail, Steel Arch Bridge opened in 1925, replacing the steel cantilever railroad bridge of 1882.

Niagara Falls, New York · United States