The Niagara River plunges 52 metres over the crestline of the Niagara Falls. At one time, around 12,000 years ago, the Niagara Falls were located approximately 11 kilometres downstream from its present location. The falls used to progress upstream at a rate of 3 metres every year until the 1950's when various power generating stations were installed on the river, spreading the flow of the river more evenly. The Niagara Falls are located on the Ontario border of Canada and the US.