Niagara River


The Niagara River is a river that flows north from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. It forms part of the border between the province of Ontario in Canada and the state of New York in the United States. There are differing theories as to the origin of the river's name. According to Iroquoian scholar Bruce Trigger, Niagara is derived from the name given to a branch of the locally residing native Neutral Confederacy, who are described as being called the Niagagarega people on several late-17th-century French maps of the area. According to George R. Stewart, it comes from the name of an Iroquois town called Ongniaahra, meaning "point of land cut in two".
The river, which is occasionally described as a strait, is about long and includes Niagara Falls in its course. The falls have moved approximately upstream from the Niagara Escarpment in the last 12,000 years, resulting in a gorge below the falls. Today, the diversion of the river for electrical generation has significantly reduced the rate of erosion. The total drop in elevation along the river is. The Niagara Gorge extends downstream from the Falls and includes the Niagara Whirlpool and another section of rapids.
Power plants on the river include the Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Power Stations on the Canadian side, and the Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant on the American side. Together, they generate 4.4 gigawatts of electricity. The International Control Works, built in 1954, regulates the river flow. Ships on the Great Lakes use the Welland Canal, part of the Saint Lawrence Seaway, on the Canadian side of the river, to bypass Niagara Falls.
The Niagara River also features two large islands and numerous smaller islands. Grand Island and Navy Island, the two largest islands, are on the American and Canadian sides of the river, respectively. Goat Island and the tiny Luna Island split Niagara Falls into its three sections, the Horseshoe Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and American Falls. Unity Island lies further upstream, alongside the city of Buffalo.
The Niagara River and its tributaries, Tonawanda Creek and the Welland River, formed part of the last section of the Erie Canal and Welland Canal. After leaving Lockport, New York, the Erie Canal proceeds southwest until it enters Tonawanda Creek. After entering the Niagara River, watercraft then proceed southward to the final lock, where a short section of the canal allows boats to avoid the turbulent shoal water at the river intake and enter Lake Erie. The Welland Canals used the Welland River as a connection to the Niagara River south of the falls, allowing water traffic to safely re-enter the Niagara River and proceed to Lake Erie.

History

The Niagara River and Falls have been known outside of North America since the late 17th century, when Father Louis Hennepin, a French explorer, first witnessed them. He wrote about his travels in A New Discovery of a Vast Country in America.
The Niagara River was the site of the earliest recorded railway in America. It was an inclined wooden tramway built by John Montresor, a British military engineer, in 1764. Called "The Cradles" and "The Old Lewiston Incline," it featured loaded carts pulled up wooden rails by rope. It facilitated the movement of goods over the Niagara Escarpment in present-day Lewiston, New York.
Several battles occurred along the Niagara River, which was historically defended by Fort George and Fort Niagara at the mouth of the river and Fort Erie at the head of the river. These forts were important during the French and Indian War and the American Revolutionary War. The Battle of Queenston Heights took place near the river in the War of 1812.
The river was an important route to liberation before the American Civil War, when many African-Americans escaping slavery on the Underground Railroad crossed it to find freedom in Canada. The Freedom Crossing Monument stands on the bank of the river in Lewiston to commemorate the courage of the escaping slaves and the local volunteers who helped them secretly cross the river.
In the 1880s, the Niagara River became the first waterway in North America harnessed for large-scale generation of hydroelectricity.
On the Canadian side of the river the provincial agency Niagara Parks Commission maintains all of the shoreline property, including Fort Erie, except the sites of Fort George, as a public greenspace and environmental heritage.
On the American side, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation maintains several state parks adjacent to Niagara Falls and the Niagara River.
Today, the river is the namesake of Niagara Herald Extraordinary at the Canadian Heraldic Authority.

Cities and settlements

Cities and towns along the Niagara River include:

NameCountry
Buffalo
Chippawa
Fort Erie
Lewiston
Grand Island
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls
Niagara-on-the-Lake
North Tonawanda
Porter
Queenston
Tonawanda
Tonawanda
Wheatfield
Youngstown

Pollution

The Niagara River is listed as a Great Lakes Areas of Concern in The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between the United States and Canada.

Crossings

The Niagara River has a long history of both road and rail bridges spanning the river, both upstream and downstream of the Falls. This history includes numerous bridges that have fallen victim to the harsh conditions of the Niagara Gorge, such as landslides and icepacks.

Parks

The following parks are located along the Niagara River:

NameCountry
Beaver Island State Park
Bowen Road Park
Broderick Park
Browns Point Park
Buckhorn Island State Park
De Veaux Woods State Park
Dufferin Islands Natural Area
Earl W. Brydges Artpark State Park
Falkner Park
Fisherman's Park
Floral Clock Park
Fort George National Historic Site
Fort Niagara State Park
Gratwick Riverside Park
Griffon Park
Jayne Park
Joseph Davis State Park
King's Bridge Park
MacFarland Park
Niagara Falls State Park
Niagara Glen Nature Reserve
Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens
Niawanda Park
Nike Base Park
Queen's Parade Park & Memorial Park
Queenston Heights
Riverside Park
Strawberry Island State Park
Sugar Bowl Park
Veterans Memorial Park
Queen Victoria Park
Whirlpool State Park


A Niagara River Greenway Plan is in progress in the United States.

Hydrologic features


FeatureLocationCountryNotesPhoto
Source of Niagara River
The Niagara River originates at the north-east end of Lake Erie, and flows north to its mouth at Lake Ontario.
Black Rock CanalBlack Rock Canal flows within and parallel to the east shore of the Niagara river near Buffalo, New York, and was built to extend the navigation period in the Niagara River through a greater part of the winter. The canal begins at Buffalo Harbor, on the north-east shore of Lake Erie, then flows north, ending at the Black Rock Lock near the north tip of Unity Island. The canal is buffered from the Niagara River by Bird Island Pier at its south end, and Unity Island at its north end.
Gould DitchHistoric tributary. Once served as a drainage ditch for Gould National Battery plant.
Scajaquada CreekTributary.
Frenchman's CreekTributary.
Chippawa Channel
The north-flowing Niagara River bifurcates at the south tip of Grand Island. "Chippawa Channel" is the river passage on the west side of Grand Island.
Miller CreekTributary.
Tonawanda ChannelWhen the Niagara River bifurcates at Grand Island, the east passage—from the south tip of Grand Island, to a point just north of Tonawanda, New York—is the "Tonawanda Channel".
Baker CreekTributary.
Black CreekTributary.
Boyer's CreekTributary.
Two Mile CreekTributary.
Little River Flows between Tonawanda Island and the New York mainland, within the Tonawanda Channel.
Tonawanda CreekTributary.
Spicer CreekTributary on Grand Island, New York.
Big Sixmile CreekTributary on Grand Island, New York.
Little Sixmile CreekTributary on Grand Island, New York.
Niagara River ChannelWhen the Niagara River bifurcates at Grand Island, the east passage—from a point just north of Tonawanda, New York, to the north tip of Grand Island—is the "Niagara River Channel".
Gun CreekTributary on Grand Island, New York.
Usshers CreekTributary.
Burnt Ship CreekTributary on Grand Island, New York.
Woods CreekTributary on Grand Island, New York.
Welland RiverHistoric tributary. Became a man-made distributary—from the Niagara River to a point 5 km west—in order to supply water to an intake channel for Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Power Stations.
Underwater intake tunnel to Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Power Stations
Little River Flows between Cayuga Island and the New York mainland, within the Niagara River Channel.
Cayuga CreekTributary.
Underwater intake for tunnel to Niagara Power Project
Horseshoe FallsLocated between the Canadian mainland and Goat Island, New York, the Horseshoe Falls is the largest, and most south-western of three parallel waterfalls over-which the Niagara River flows. There is dispute as to whether the Horseshoe Falls lies entirely within Canada.
Gill CreekTributary.
Goat Island ChannelThe Niagara River bifurcates at the south-east tip of Goat Island. "Goat Island Channel" is the north-east passage around the island.
Bridal Veil FallsLocated between Goat Island and Luna Island, Bridal Veil Falls is the smallest of the three parallel waterfalls over-which the Niagara River flows. It is entirely within the US.
American FallsLocated between Luna Island and the New York mainland, the American Falls is the most northern and second largest of three parallel waterfalls over-which the Niagara River flows. It is located entirely within the US.
Muddy Run FallsHistoric tributary which entered the Niagara River as a waterfall from the top of the Niagara Gorge. Development above Muddy Run Falls destroyed its water supply.
Whirlpool Rapids
Colt's Creek FallsTributary which enters the Niagara River as a waterfall from the top of the Niagara Gorge. The volume was greatly diminished following construction of the canal to Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Power Stations.
Niagara Whirlpool
The Niagara Whirlpool is a natural whirlpool along the Niagara River located along the Canada–US border between New York and Ontario. The whirlpool is located in the Niagara Gorge, downstream from Niagara Falls. The whirlpool's greatest depth is 125 feet.
Harvie FallsTributary which enters the Niagara River as a waterfall from the top of the Niagara Gorge. The volume was greatly diminished following construction of the canal to Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Power Stations.
Devil's Hole Rapids
Bloody Run FallsTributary which enters the Niagara River as a waterfall from the top of the Niagara Gorge. The volume was greatly diminished following construction of Robert Moses State Parkway and other streets above the falls.
Niagara Power Project
Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Power Stations
Smeaton FallsTributary which enters the Niagara River as a waterfall from the top of the Niagara Gorge. The volume was greatly diminished following the construction of Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Power Stations.
Spring Cave CascadeHistoric tributary which entered the Niagara River as a cascade from caves in the wall of the Niagara Gorge. Its source was destroyed following construction of the Niagara Power Project.
Fish Creek FallsTributary which enters the Niagara River as a waterfall from the top of the Niagara Gorge. The volume was greatly diminished following the construction of the Niagara Power Project.
Locust Grove FallsTributary which enters the Niagara River as a waterfall from the top of the Niagara Gorge. The volume was greatly diminished following the construction of Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Power Stations.
Mouth of Niagara River

Islands

Several islands are located on the upper river upriver from the falls:

NameLocationCountryStatusNotes
Bird IslandBuffaloFilled inConnected to Unity Island in 1822 as part of improvements to Black Rock harbor.
Brig IslandNiagara FallsParkPart of Niagara Falls State Park.
Brother IslandNiagara FallsParkLocated near Niagara Falls and the Three Sisters Islands; part of Niagara Falls State Park.
Buckhorn IslandGrand IslandParkLocated on the north end of Grand Island. A state park.
Cayuga IslandNiagara FallsResidentialLocated at the mouth of Cayuga Creek; a residential neighborhood of the city.
Cedar IslandNiagara FallsFilled inFilled in by the creation of the Rankine Generating Station by Canadian Niagara Power Company in 1905.
Conners IslandNiagara FallsFilled inAlso known in some sources as "Coroner Island". Filled in sometime in the 1950s or early '60s. Currently the site of the Niagara Power Station Intake.
Deer IslandNiagara Falls
Dufferin IslandsNiagara FallsParkMan-made islands. Parkland.
Frog IslandSubmerged/reconstructedWas located in the Upper Niagara River between Motor Island and Strawberry Island. Disappeared due to erosion sometime between 1951 and 1985. Re-created beginning in 2007 as a habitat for fish, waterfowl, and aquatic plants.
Goat IslandNiagara FallsParkLocated at the brink of the American Falls, named by John Stedman in the 1770s; briefly renamed to Iris Island by General Augustus Porter, a United States Commissioner. Now part of Niagara Falls State Park.
Goose IslandCity of TonawandaMan-made/filled inWas located at the confluence of Tonawanda Creek and the Tonawanda Channel of the Niagara River. Existed from 1825, when the Erie Canal was constructed until the 1940s, when this portion of the canal was filled in.
Grand IslandDevelopedThe largest island on the river; includes several parks, but is mostly residential and industrial; originally called Ga-We-Not by the Seneca.
Grass IslandNiagara FallsFilled inFilled in during the 1960s to create the Robert Moses Parkway at Point Day.
Green IslandNiagara FallsParkOriginally called Bath Island, it was renamed in the early 1900s for Niagara Reservation Commissioner Andrew H. Green. Part of Niagara Falls State Park.
Gull IslandNiagara FallsParkLocated near the wreck of the Old Scow in Canadian waters.
Hogg IslandNiagara FallsFilled inFilled in by the creation of the Chippawa Queenston Power Canal in 1917 and finally by the Sir Adam Beck Dam #2 in 1950 by the Hydro Electric Power Commission of Ontario.
Little Beaver IslandGrand IslandParkLocated off the south end of Grand Island; part of Beaver Island State Park.
Luna IslandNiagara FallsParkLocated next to Goat Island; originally called Prospect Island. Part of Niagara Falls State Park.
Motor IslandGrand IslandParkAlso known as Pirates' Island and Frog Island. A New York State Wildlife Management Area.
Navy IslandNiagara FallsParkDesignated as a National Historic Park.
Rattlesnake IslandTown of TonawandaFilled inWas located just south of what is today the South Grand Island Bridge. Was filled in sometime between 1915 and 1927, concurrent with the heavy industrial development of the area.
Robinson IslandNiagara FallsParkNamed for daredevil Joel Robinson in 1860. Now part of Niagara Falls State Park.
Ship IslandNiagara FallsParkPart of Niagara Falls State Park.
Stony IslandNiagara FallsUnknownShown in the 1908 New Century Atlas of Niagara and Orleans County but not mentioned in any other source. Supposedly located just offshore from the mouth of Gill Creek. No longer extant, if it ever was.
Strawberry IslandTown of TonawandaParkA small island, formerly much larger but diminished by gravel mining and erosion. An undeveloped state park and wildlife preserve.
Three Sisters IslandsNiagara FallsParkLocated next to Goat Island within Niagara Falls State Park. Originally called Moss Islands, they were later renamed for the three daughters of War of 1812 United States Army General Parkhurst Whitney in 1843.
Tonawanda IslandNorth TonawandaDevelopedOccupied by a marina and several industries.
Tower IslandNiagara FallsMan-madeMan-made island created in 1942 and completed in 1954 by the US Army Corps of Engineers to construct International Control Dam.
Unity IslandBuffaloDevelopedHome to Broderick Park, Unity Island Park, and a waste-water treatment facility.
Willow IslandNiagara FallsMan-made/filled inMan-made island created in 1759 by Daniel Joncairs and filled in during the 1960s to create the Robert Moses Parkway.

Military posts

Station was once a United States Army post. There are no Canadian Coast Guard posts along the river. Fort Mississauga, Fort George and Fort Erie are former British and Canadian military forts and are now parks.
Navy Island Royal Naval Shipyard was used by French in 18th Century as a naval base and by Royal Navy from 1763 as a small shipyard and abandoned around 1818 after the ratification of the Rush–Bagot Treaty in 1817.

Roads

On the Canadian side the Niagara Parkway travels along the River from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie.
lines the river on the state side from Fort Niagara to Lewiston. on the state side only travels along the River from the Falls to Lewiston. The remaining river sections are covered by the,, and.