The History of Power Development in Niagara
In 1759, Daniel Joncairs was the first recorded person to have harnessed any type of power in Niagara. He did this by digging a narrow ditch above the falls, on the American side, and from this was able to draw enough water from the river to turn a waterwheel to power a small sawmill. Joncairs did not invent the waterwheel, however before he arrived; the power of Niagara was being used for nothing more than washing.