The bitterly cold winter is having a positive effect for tourism officials in Niagara Falls - lots of people are heading there to view the ice buildup on the mighty cataract.
While the Falls are not completely frozen over, there is enough ice piled up that, from a distance, it appears to be totally encased in ice.
Steady lines of visitors spent the day coming to see the natural wonder, most from Western New York, but many out-of-state visitors were also curious.
John Percy, president & CEO of Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation (NTCC), says overall business at its visitor center has increased 67 percent since last year.
NTCC actively markets the beauty of Niagara Falls in winter as part of its promotion activities.
The only downside, added Percy, is that all the ice will probably delay the start of popular tourist activities like the Maid of Mist, which would like to open in April.
"This will probably be another year where we still have ice in the river in May, " added Percy.
