Five amazing photos of iced Niagara Falls

ALBANY - More than 3,000 tons of water flows over Niagara Falls every second, but in the winter — especially during this cold stretch -- the falls turn into a winter wonderland

Photos of the falls on the American and Canadian sides have become a world attraction in recent days as wind chills there fell to as low as minus 14 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

“We come to see the wonders of nature, and the beauty of winter, really. The beauty also comes with a lot of cold right now,” Kevin McGowan, a Buffalo native who lives in Florida, told WGRZ-TV.

The Buffalo News pointed out that the river and falls are essentially unaffected by the cold, but the mist hits rocks, trees and railings and turns them into a majestic scene of ice.

On the American side, Niagara Falls State Park stretches over 400 acres and about 140 acres of it is under water — bringing tourists from around the globe.

Craig Brien came from Australia to see the falls, he told WGRZ.

"It's a lot better in real life than it is in a National Geographic book,” Brien said.