Niagara Whirlpool facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Niagara Whirlpool |
|
|---|---|
Niagara Whirlpool with approaching Whirlpool Aero Car viewed from the south station
|
|
 The Niagara Whirlpool
Location in Ontario
|
|
| Location | North of the cities of Niagara Falls, ON and Niagara Falls, NY |
| Coordinates | 43°07′15″N 79°04′12″W / 43.120783°N 79.069891°W |
| Average depth | 125 feet (38 m) |
The Niagara Whirlpool is a giant natural whirlpool found in the Niagara River. It sits right on the border between Canada (in Ontario) and the United States (in New York). You can find this amazing whirlpool in the Niagara Gorge, which is just downstream from the famous Niagara Falls. The deepest part of the whirlpool is about 125 feet (38 m) (38 meters) deep.
How the Whirlpool Formed
.jpg)
Scientists believe the Niagara Whirlpool started forming around 4,200 years ago. This happened as the Niagara River slowly wore away the land upstream. The Niagara Falls has been moving backward, or "retreating," upstream ever since it first formed.
During this slow process, the retreating falls met an old riverbed that was hidden underground. This ancient riverbed was filled with loose dirt and rocks left over from the last Ice Age, called the Wisconsin glaciation. When the falls reached this hidden gorge, the river quickly washed away all the dirt and rocks.
The old, buried gorge was almost at a right angle to the Niagara River. This sudden sharp turn in the river's path, combined with the very fast water (moving up to 30 feet per second or 9 meters per second), made the river water swirl around wildly. Over time, the river kept eroding the harder rock, creating the rounded basin we see today. This basin sits just to the side of the main river's flow.
Normally, the whirlpool spins in a counterclockwise direction. But sometimes, when more water from the river is sent to the nearby power plants, the whirlpool can actually spin the other way!
Fun Places Nearby
There are two parks located right next to the Niagara Whirlpool. On the U.S. side, you'll find Whirlpool State Park. On the Canadian side, there's the Niagara Glen Nature Reserve.
You can also ride the Whirlpool Aero Car, which is located on the Canadian side. This cable car travels high above the river, giving you an amazing view of the whirlpool below!
See also
In Spanish: Remolino del Niágara para niños
