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Coordinates: 43°04′41″N 79°04′37″W / 43.078°N 79.077°W / 43.078; -79.077
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{{distinguish|Nagara River}}
{{Infobox_river
{{short description|River in New York, United States and Ontario, Canada}}
| river_name = Niagara River
{{Infobox river
| image_name =NiagaraRiverNASA.jpg
| name = Niagara River
| image_size = <!--Optional; defaults to 288 px-->
| name_native =
| caption = Satellite image of the Niagara River. Flowing from Lake Erie in the south to Lake Ontario in the north, the river passes around Grand Island before going over Niagara Falls, after which it narrows in the Niagara Gorge. Two hydropower reservoirs are visible just before the river widens after exiting the gorge. The [[Welland Canal]] is visible on the far left side of this image. ''(Source: NASA Visible Earth)''
| name_native_lang =
| origin = Lake Erie
| name_other =
| mouth = Lake Ontario
| name_etymology =
| basin_countries = United States & Canada
| nickname =
| length = 36 mi (58 km)<ref name=factsfigs>{{cite web |url=http://www.niagaraparks.com/nfgg/geology.php |title=Facts & Figures - Niagara Parks, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada |accessdate=2007-05-30 |format=online |work= }}</ref>
<!---------------------- IMAGE-->
| elevation = <!-- changes 326 ft (99 m)<ref name=factsfigs/>-->
| image = Whirlpool Bridge (2936545446).jpg
| mouth_elevation =
| image_size =
| discharge = 2 to 3&nbsp;ft/s (0.6&ndash;0.9&nbsp;m/s)<ref name=factsfigs/>
| image_caption = The Niagara River at [[Niagara Gorge]] in May 2008
| watershed = 264,000&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi (684,000&nbsp;km²)<ref name=factsfigs/>
| image_alt =
<!---------------------- MAPS -->
| map =
| map_size =
| map_caption =
| map_alt =
| pushpin_map = North America#Canada Southern Ontario#USA New York
| pushpin_map_size =
| pushpin_map_caption=
| pushpin_map_alt =
<!---------------------- LOCATION -->
| subdivision_type1 = Countries
| subdivision_name1 = {{hlist|[[Canada]]|[[United States]]}}
| subdivision_type2 = Province / State
| subdivision_name2 = {{hlist|[[Ontario]]|[[New York (state)|New York]]}}
| subdivision_type3 =
| subdivision_name3 =
| subdivision_type4 =
| subdivision_name4 =
| subdivision_type5 =
| subdivision_name5 =
<!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS -->
| length = {{convert|58|km|abbr=on}}<ref name=factsfigs>{{cite web |url=http://www.niagaraparks.com/nfgg/geology.php |title=Facts & Figures - Niagara Parks, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada |access-date=May 30, 2007 |format=online |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031209130246/http://www.niagaraparks.com/nfgg/geology.php |archive-date=December 9, 2003 }}</ref>
| width_min =
| width_avg =
| width_max =
| depth_min =
| depth_avg =
| depth_max =
| discharge1_location=
| discharge1_min =
| discharge1_avg = {{convert|5,796|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}<ref>[http://pubs.usgs.gov/wdr/wdr-ny-03-3/ Water Resources Data New York Water Year 2003, Volume 3: Western New York], [[United States Geological Survey|USGS]]</ref>
| discharge1_max =
<!---------------------- BASIN FEATURES -->
| source1 = [[Lake Erie]]
| source1_location =
| source1_coordinates= <!-- {{Coord|...}} -->
| source1_elevation = {{convert|173.43|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}<ref>Inferred from [[Lake Erie]]. Retrieved 2021-01-30.</ref>
| mouth = [[Lake Ontario]]
| mouth_location =
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|43.078|N|79.077|W|type:river_source:dewiki|display=inline,title}}
| mouth_elevation = {{convert|74.1|m|ft|0|abbr= on}}<ref>Inferred from [[Lake Ontario]]. Retrieved 2021-01-30.</ref>
| progression = {{PLake Ontario}}
| river_system =
| basin_size = {{convert|684000|km2|abbr=on}}<ref name=factsfigs/>
| basin_landmarks =
| basin_population =
| tributaries_left = [[Welland River]]
| tributaries_right = [[Tonawanda Creek]]
| waterbodies =
| waterfalls =
| bridges =
| ports =
| custom_label =
| custom_data =
| extra = {{Designation list
| embed = yes
| designation1 = Ramsar
| designation1_offname = Niagara River Corridor
| designation1_date = 3 October 2019
| designation1_number = 2402<ref>{{Cite web|title=Niagara River Corridor|website=[[Ramsar Convention|Ramsar]] Sites Information Service|url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/2402|access-date=9 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114055906/https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/2402|archive-date=14 January 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
}}
}}
[[File:NiagaraRiverNASA.jpg|thumb|upright|Satellite image of Niagara River flowing north from Lake Erie (bottom) to Lake Ontario (top). The river flows around Grand Island, and then flows over Niagara Falls. It narrows in the [[Niagara Gorge]], where two hydropower reservoirs are visible, and then widens after exiting the gorge. The [[Welland Canal]] is visible on the far left.]]
[[Image:American Falls and Goat Island in winter from Skylon Tower.jpg|thumb|American Falls with Goat Island to its right]]


The '''Niagara River''' flows to the north from [[Lake Erie]] to [[Lake Ontario]]. It serves as part of the border between the Province of [[Ontario]] in [[Canada]] and [[New York]] State in the [[United States]]. There are various theories as to the origin of the name. According to [[NASA]], "Niagara" comes from a Native American word meaning "at the neck".<ref>[http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view_rec.php?id=16362 NASA Visible Earth, Niagara Falls]</ref> According to [[George R. Stewart]], it comes from the name of an [[Iroquois]] town called "Ongniaahra", meaning "point of land cut in two".<ref>[[George R. Stewart|Stewart, George R.]] (1967) ''Names on the Land.'' Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company; pg. 83.</ref>
The '''Niagara River''' ({{IPAc-en|n|aɪ|ˈ|æ|ɡ|ər|ə|,_|-|g|r|ə}} {{respell|ny|AGG|ər|ə|,_-|grə}}) flows north from [[Lake Erie]] to [[Lake Ontario]], forming part of the border between [[Ontario]], [[Canada]], to the west, and [[New York (state)|New York]], [[United States]], to the east. The origin of the river's name is debated. [[Iroquoian peoples|Iroquoian]] scholar [[Bruce Trigger]] suggests it is derived from a branch of the local [[Neutral Confederacy]], referred to as the ''Niagagarega'' people on several late-[[17th century|17th-century]] [[France|French]] maps.<ref>Bruce Trigger, ''The Children of Aataentsic'' (McGill-Queen's University Press, Kingston and Montreal,1987, {{ISBN|0-7735-0626-8}}), p. 95.</ref> [[George R. Stewart]] posits that it comes from an Iroquois town named ''Ongniaahra'', meaning "point of land cut in two."<ref>[[George R. Stewart|Stewart, George R.]] (1967) ''Names on the Land.'' Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company; p. 83.</ref>


The river, occasionally described as a [[strait]],<ref>[http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/resbot/Niag/LakeLevels/isostatic.htm Mobot.org]</ref> is approximately {{convert|58|km}} long and includes [[Niagara Falls]]. Over the past 12,000 years, the falls have moved roughly {{convert|11|km}} upstream from the [[Niagara Escarpment]], creating a [[Canyon|gorge]] below the falls. Today, the diversion of the river for [[electricity generation]] has significantly slowed the rate of [[erosion]]. The total elevation drop along the river is {{convert|99|m}}. The Niagara Gorge, downstream from the falls, includes the [[Niagara Whirlpool]] and additional [[rapids]].
==Description==
The river, which is occasionally described as a "[[strait]]",<ref>[http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/resbot/Niag/LakeLevels/isostatic.htm Mobot.org]</ref> is approximately 56&nbsp;kilometres (35&nbsp;mi) long and includes [[Niagara Falls]] along its course. The falls have moved upstream from the [[Niagara Escarpment]] about 11&nbsp;kilometers (7&nbsp;mi) in the last 12,000&nbsp;years, resulting in a gorge below the falls. Today, diversion of the river for [[electricity generation]] has significantly reduced the rate of erosion.


Power plants on the river are the [[Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Power Stations]], on the Canadian side, and the [[Robert Moses Hydro-Electric Dam|Robert Moses]] Niagara Power Plant, built in 1961, on the American side. The sites generate 4.4&nbsp;gigawatts of electricity combined. The river flow is also regulated by the International Control Works built in 1954. Shipping on the [[Great Lakes]] bypasses the Niagara River and Niagara Falls using the [[Welland Canal]], part of the [[Saint Lawrence Seaway]], located on the Canadian side.
Power plants on the river include the [[Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Generating Stations]] (built in 1922 and 1954) on the Canadian side, and the [[Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant]] (built in 1961) on the American side, collectively generating 4.4 [[Watt|gigawatts]] of electricity. The [[International Control Dam]], constructed in 1954, regulates [[Streamflow|river flow]]. Ships on the [[Great Lakes]] use the [[Welland Canal]], part of the [[St. Lawrence Seaway]], on the Canadian side of the river, to bypass Niagara Falls.


The Niagara River features two large islands and several smaller ones. [[Grand Island, New York|Grand Island]] and [[Navy Island]], the two largest, are on the American and Canadian sides, respectively. [[Goat Island (New York)|Goat Island]] and the small [[Luna Island]] divide Niagara Falls into three sections: [[Horseshoe Falls]], [[Bridal Veil Falls (Niagara Falls)|Bridal Veil Falls]], and [[American Falls]]. [[Unity Island]] lies further upstream, adjacent to the city of [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]].
[[Image:American Falls and Goat Island in winter from Skylon Tower.jpg|thumb|250px|The American Falls with Goat Island to its right.]]
[[Image:Niagara-river-glen.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Niagara Glen features many treacherous rapids downstream of Niagara Falls]]


The Niagara River and its tributaries, [[Tonawanda Creek]] and the [[Welland River]], formed part of the final section of the Erie Canal and Welland Canal. After leaving [[Lockport, New York|Lockport]], the Erie Canal heads southwest into [[Tonawanda Creek]]. Upon entering the Niagara River, [[watercraft]] proceed south to the final [[Lock (water navigation)|lock]], where a short canal section allows boats to bypass [[Turbulence|turbulent]] [[Shoal|shoal water]] and enter Lake Erie. The Welland Canals used the [[Welland River]] to connect to the Niagara River south of the falls, enabling water traffic to safely re-enter the river and continue to Lake Erie.
The total drop in elevation along the river is 326&nbsp;ft (99&nbsp;meters). The Niagara Gorge extends 7&nbsp;mi (11.26&nbsp;km)downstream from the Falls and includes the [[Niagara Whirlpool]] and another section of rapids.


==History==
The Niagara River features two large islands, [[Grand Island, New York|Grand Island]] and [[Goat Island (New York)|Goat Island]], both in the United States. The western end of the [[Erie Canal]] is near Grand Island. Goat Island and the tiny Luna Island split Niagara Falls into its three sections, the Horseshoe, Bridal Veil, and American Falls. [[Navy Island]], on the Canadian side, is near the north end of Grand Island, while Strawberry Island and Motor Island lie southeast of Grand Island. Squaw Island lies further upstream, alongside the city of [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]].
[[File:Niagara River from Queenston Heights (I0006956).tif|alt=The Niagara River and trees are depicted in the painting.|thumb|upright|Watercolour by [[Elizabeth Simcoe]] depicting the Niagara River from Queenston Heights, {{circa|1793}}]]
[[Image:Edward Walsh - Queenstown, Upper Canada on the Niagara (a.k.a. Queenston, Ontario).jpg|thumb|Niagara River at [[Queenston, Ontario]], then known as Queenstown, Upper Canada, {{circa|1805}} watercolour]]


The Niagara River and Falls have been known outside of North America since the late 17th century, when [[Louis Hennepin|Father Louis Hennepin]], a French explorer, first witnessed them. He wrote about his travels in ''A New Discovery of a Vast Country in America'' (1698).<ref>Hennepin, Louis. [http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/search.asp?id=374 ''A New Discovery of a Vast Country in America'']. Chicago: A.C. McClurg & Co., 1903. Accessed December 8, 2008.</ref>
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. Welland Canals used the Welland River as a connection back to the Niagara River south of the falls, allowing water traffic to safely re-enter the Niagara River and proceed to Lake Erie.


The Niagara River was the site of the earliest recorded railway in America. It was an inclined wooden tramway built by [[John Montresor]] (1736–1799), 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]].<ref name=Porter>{{cite book | last=Porter |first=Peter |title=Landmarks of the Niagara Frontier |publisher=The Author |year=1914}}</ref>
==History==
Several battles occurred along the Niagara River, which was historically defended by [[Fort George]] (Canadian side) and [[Fort Niagara]] (American side) at the mouth of the river and [[Fort Erie]] (Canadian side) 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]].


In 1781, the [[Niagara Purchase]] was signed, involving a {{convert|6.5|km|mi|adj=mid|-wide}} strip of land bordering the west bank of the Niagara River, connecting Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Niagara Purchase {{!}} The Canadian Encyclopedia|url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/niagara-purchase|access-date=2021-10-13|website=www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca}}</ref>
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.


Several battles occurred along the Niagara River, which was historically defended by [[Fort George, Ontario|Fort George]] (Canadian side) and [[Fort Niagara]] (American side) at the mouth of the river and [[Fort Erie]] (Canadian side) at the head of the river. These forts were important during the [[Seven Years' War]] (known as the [[French and Indian War]] in the United States) and the [[American Revolutionary War]]. The [[Battle of Queenston Heights]] took place near the river in the [[War of 1812]].
On the Canadian side of the river the [[Niagara Parks Commission]] maintains all of the shoreline property, except the sites of [[Fort George]] and [[Fort Erie]], as a public greenspace and environmental heritage.

The river was an important route to liberation before the [[American Civil War]], as 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 the world harnessed for large-scale generation of [[hydroelectricity]].<ref>[http://library.buffalo.edu/libraries/exhibits/panam/sel/electricity.html Electricity and its Development at Niagara Falls] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124131422/http://library.buffalo.edu/libraries/exhibits/panam/sel/electricity.html |date=2009-01-24 }}. University at Buffalo, June 2004. Accessed December 8, 2008.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Niagara Falls History |url=https://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/niagara-falls-state-park/history |access-date=24 October 2023}}</ref>

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 (a [[National Historic Sites of Canada|National Historic Site]] maintained federally by [[Parks Canada]]), 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 park]]s adjacent to Niagara Falls and the Niagara River.


Today, the river is the namesake of [[Niagara Herald Extraordinary]] at the [[Canadian Heraldic Authority]].
Today, the river is the namesake of [[Niagara Herald Extraordinary]] at the [[Canadian Heraldic Authority]].


==Cities and settlements==
==Cities and settlements==
[[File:ON Niagara tango7174.jpg|thumb|[[Whirlpool Aero Car]] crossing [[Niagara Whirlpool]]]]
Population centers along the Niagara River include:

*[[Buffalo, New York]]
Cities and towns along the Niagara River include:
*[[Fort Erie, Ontario]]
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:1em auto;"
*[[Lewiston, New York]]
|-
*[[Grand Island, New York]] (Island formed by Niagara River, in the US)
! Name !! Country
*[[Niagara Falls, New York]]
|-
*[[Niagara Falls, Ontario]]
| [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]] || {{USA}}
*[[Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario]]
|-
*[[North Tonawanda, New York]]
| [[Chippawa, Ontario|Chippawa]] || {{CAN}}
*[[Porter, New York]]
|-
*[[Queenston, Ontario]]
| [[Fort Erie, Ontario|Fort Erie]] || {{CAN}}
*[[Tonawanda, New York]] (City)
|-
*[[Tonawanda, New York]] (Town of Tonawanda)
*[[Wheatfield, New York]]
| [[Lewiston, New York|Lewiston]] || {{USA}}
|-
*[[Youngstown, New York]]
| [[Grand Island, New York|Grand Island]] || {{USA}}
|-
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]] || {{USA}}
|-
| [[Niagara Falls, Ontario|Niagara Falls]] || {{CAN}}
|-
| [[Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario|Niagara-on-the-Lake]] || {{CAN}}
|-
| [[North Tonawanda, New York|North Tonawanda]] || {{USA}}
|-
| [[Porter, New York|Porter]] || {{USA}}
|-
| [[Queenston, Ontario|Queenston]] || {{CAN}}
|-
| [[City of Tonawanda|Tonawanda (City)]] || {{USA}}
|-
| [[Tonawanda (town), New York|Tonawanda (Town)]] || {{USA}}
|-
| [[Wheatfield, New York|Wheatfield]] || {{USA}}
|-
| [[Youngstown, New York|Youngstown]] || {{USA}}
|-
|}

==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==
==Crossings==
{{main|List of crossings of the Niagara River}}
{{main|List of crossings of the Niagara River}}
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.
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==
[[Image:Niagara-river-glen.jpg|thumb|upright|Niagara Glen features many rapids downstream of Niagara Falls]]

The following parks are located along the Niagara River:
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:1em auto;"
! Name !! Country
|-
| [[Beaver Island State Park]] || {{USA}}
|-
| Bowen Road Park || {{CAN}}
|-
| Browns Point Park || {{CAN}}
|-
| [[Buckhorn Island State Park]] || {{USA}}
|-
| [[De Veaux Woods State Park]] || {{USA}}
|-
| [[Dufferin Islands|Dufferin Islands Natural Area]] || {{CAN}}
|-
| [[Earl W. Brydges Artpark State Park]] || {{USA}}
|-
| Falkner Park || {{USA}}
|-
| Fisherman's Park || {{USA}}
|-
| Floral Clock Park || {{CAN}}
|-
| Fort George National Historic Site || {{CAN}}
|-
| [[Fort Niagara State Park]] || {{USA}}
|-
| [[Freedom Park (Buffalo, New York)|Freedom Park]] || {{USA}}
|-
| Gratwick Riverside Park || {{USA}}
|-
| Griffon Park || {{USA}}
|-
| Jayne Park || {{USA}}
|-
| [[Joseph Davis State Park]] || {{USA}}
|-
| King's Bridge Park || {{CAN}}
|-
| MacFarland Park || {{CAN}}
|-
| [[Niagara Falls State Park]] || {{USA}}
|-
| [[Niagara Glen Nature Reserve]] || {{CAN}}
|-
| Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens || {{CAN}}
|-
| Niawanda Park<ref>{{Google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Niawanda+Park/@43.01717,-78.8900756,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xcb356fe81dd9d4fb!8m2!3d43.01717!4d-78.8900756 |title=Niawanda Park |access-date=September 4, 2018}}</ref> || {{USA}}
|-
| Nike Base Park || {{USA}}
|-
| Queen's Parade Park & Memorial Park || {{CAN}}
|-
| [[Queenston Heights]] || {{CAN}}
|-
| [[Riverside Park (Buffalo, New York)|Riverside Park]] || {{USA}}
|-
| [[Strawberry Island State Park]] || {{USA}}
|-
| Sugar Bowl Park || {{CAN}}
|-
| Veterans Memorial Park || {{USA}}
|-
| [[Queen Victoria Park]] || {{CAN}}
|-
| [[Whirlpool State Park]] || {{USA}}
|-
|}
A [[Niagara River Greenway Plan]] is in progress in the United States.

==Hydrologic features==
{{GeoGroup|section=Hydrologic features}}
{{Clear}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:1em auto; border: 2px solid lightblue;"
|+ Hydrologic Features of the Niagara River
! Feature
! Location
! Country
! class="unsortable" | Notes
! class="unsortable" | Photo
|-
| Source of Niagara River
| {{Coord|42.904325|N|78.905869|W|type:landmark}}
| {{CAN}}<br/>{{USA}}
| The Niagara River originates at the north-east end of [[Lake Erie]], and flows north to its mouth at [[Lake Ontario]].
| [[File:Peace Bridge.jpg|100px]]
|-
| Black Rock Canal
| {{Coord|42.90706|N|78.902053|W|type:landmark}}
| {{USA}}
| Black 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.<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/68215/Black-Rock-Canal "Black Rock Canal"]. ''Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online''. Retrieved Jan. 3, 2013.</ref> 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.
| [[File:Black Rock Canal Niagara.jpg|100px]]
|-
| Gould Ditch
| {{Coord|42.920689|N|78.911785|W|type:landmark}}
| {{CAN}}
| Historic tributary. Once served as a drainage ditch for Gould National Battery plant.<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/chemicalsofconce00torouoft#page/n3/mode/2up "Chemicals of Concern in the Niagara River Tributaries - 1988-89"]. Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy, Queen's Printer for Ontario, 1993.</ref>
|
|-
| [[Scajaquada Creek]]
| {{Coord|42.929091|N|78.899056|W|type:landmark}}
| {{USA}}
| Tributary.
| [[File:Scajaquada Creek within Forest Lawn Cemetery.jpg|100px]]
|-
| Frenchman's Creek
| {{Coord|42.942648|N|78.927391|W|type:landmark}}
| {{CAN}}
| Tributary.
|
|-
| Chippawa Channel
| {{Coord|42.953344|N|78.937626|W|type:landmark}}
| {{CAN}}<br/>{{USA}}
| The north-flowing Niagara River bifurcates at the south tip of [[Grand Island, New York|Grand Island]] (both sections rejoin at the north tip). "Chippawa Channel" is the river passage on the west side of Grand Island.
|
|-
| Miller Creek
| {{Coord|42.955315|N|78.97537|W|type:landmark}}
| {{CAN}}
| Tributary.
|
|-
| Tonawanda Channel
| {{Coord|42.960757|N|78.929386|W|type:landmark}}
| {{USA}}
| When the Niagara River bifurcates at Grand Island, the east passage—from the south tip of Grand Island, to a point just north of [[Tonawanda (city), New York|Tonawanda, New York]]—is the "Tonawanda Channel".
|
|-
| Baker Creek
| {{Coord|42.972761|N|79.008039|W|type:landmark}}
| {{CAN}}
| Tributary.
|
|-
| Black Creek
| {{Coord|42.980999|N|79.023499|W|type:landmark}}
| {{CAN}}
| Tributary.
|
|-
| Boyer's Creek
| {{Coord|43.00194|N|79.029508|W|type:landmark}}
| {{CAN}}
| Tributary.
|
|-
| Two Mile Creek
| {{Coord|43.010845|N|78.906555|W|type:landmark}}
| {{USA}}
| Tributary.
|
|-
| Little River (at Tonawanda Island)
| {{Coord|43.022926|N|78.884969|W|type:landmark}}
| {{USA}}
| Flows between Tonawanda Island and the New York mainland, within the Tonawanda Channel.
|
|-
| [[Tonawanda Creek]]
| {{Coord|43.02338|N|78.881707|W|type:landmark}}
| {{USA}}
| Tributary.
| [[File:Tonawanda mill dam 8928.jpg|100px]]
|-
| Spicer Creek
| {{Coord|43.025279|N|78.894153|W|type:landmark}}
| {{USA}}
| Tributary on Grand Island, New York.
|
|-
| Big Sixmile Creek
| {{Coord|43.026494|N|79.011773|W|type:landmark}}
| {{USA}}
| Tributary on Grand Island, New York.
|
|-
| Little Sixmile Creek
| {{Coord|43.028502|N|79.010217|W|type:landmark}}
| {{USA}}
| Tributary on Grand Island, New York.
|
|-
| Niagara River Channel
| {{Coord|43.035772|N|78.893809|W|type:landmark}}
| {{USA}}
| When 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".
| [[File:Niagara River.jpg|100px]]
|-
| Gun Creek
| {{Coord|43.049455|N|78.915728|W|type:landmark}}
| {{USA}}
| Tributary on Grand Island, New York.
|
|-
| Usshers Creek
| {{Coord|43.051282|N|79.022577|W|type:landmark}}
| {{CAN}}
| Tributary.
|
|-
| Burnt Ship Creek
| {{Coord|43.060987|N|78.997493|W|type:landmark}}
| {{USA}}
| Tributary on Grand Island, New York.
|
|-
| Woods Creek
| {{Coord|43.062335|N|78.976958|W|type:landmark}}
| {{USA}}
| Tributary on Grand Island, New York.
| [[File:Woods Creek - Grand Island, New York.jpg|100px]]
|-
| [[Welland River]]
| {{Coord|43.062711|N|79.047961|W|type:landmark}}
| {{CAN}}
| Historic tributary. Became a man-made distributary—from the Niagara River to a point 5&nbsp;km west—in order to supply water to an intake channel for [[Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Power Stations]].
|
|-
| [[Niagara Tunnel Project|Underwater intake tunnel to Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Power Stations]]
| {{Coord|43.067124|N|79.053959|W|type:landmark}}
| {{CAN}}
|
|[[File:Niagara-Tunnel-Project.gif|100px]]
|-
| Little River (at Cayuga Island)
| {{Coord|43.073167|N|78.951724|W|type:landmark}}
| {{USA}}
| Flows between Cayuga Island and the New York mainland, within the Niagara River Channel.
|
|-
| Cayuga Creek
| {{Coord|43.075894|N|78.962753|W|type:landmark}}
| {{USA}}
| Tributary.
|
|-
| Underwater intake for tunnel to [[Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant|Niagara Power Project]]
| {{Coord|43.07725|N|79.015796|W|type:landmark}}
| {{USA}}
|
| [[File:Upriver from Niagara Falls.jpg|100px]]
|-
| [[Horseshoe Falls]]
| {{Coord|43.077289|N|79.075127|W|type:landmark}}
| {{CAN}}
| Located between the Canadian mainland and [[Goat Island (New York)|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 (see [[Niagara Falls#History]]).
| [[File:Horseshoe Falls 2006.jpg|100px]]
|-
| Gill Creek
| {{Coord|43.078292|N|79.025838|W|type:landmark}}
| {{USA}}
| Tributary.
|
|-
| Goat Island Channel
| {{Coord|43.080612|N|79.060535|W|type:landmark}}
| {{USA}}
| The Niagara River bifurcates at the south-east tip of Goat Island. "Goat Island Channel" is the north-east passage around the island.
| [[File:Green Island & Goat Island pedestrian bridge 2008.jpg|100px]]
|-
| [[Bridal Veil Falls (Niagara Falls)|Bridal Veil Falls]]
| {{Coord|43.083781|N|79.070776|W|type:landmark}}
| {{USA}}
| Located between Goat Island and [[Luna Island]], Bridal Veil Falls is the smallest (and middle) of the three parallel waterfalls over which the Niagara River flows. It is entirely within the US.
| [[File:Bridal Veil Falls below.png|100px]]
|-
| [[American Falls]]
| {{Coord|43.084866|N|79.069462|W|type:landmark}}
| {{USA}}
| Located 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.
| [[File:DSCN4390 americanfalls e.jpg|100px]]
|-
| Muddy Run Falls
| {{Coord|43.114972|N|79.06252|W|type:landmark}}
| {{CAN}}
| Historic 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
| {{Coord|43.116006|N|79.062488|W|type:landmark}}
| {{CAN}}<br/>{{USA}}
|
|[[File:Whirlpool Rapids Bridge 2.jpg|100px]]
|-
| Colt's Creek Falls
| {{Coord|43.119757|N|79.071929|W|type:landmark}}
| {{CAN}}
| Tributary 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]]
| {{Coord|43.120219|N|79.069526|W|type:landmark}}
| {{CAN}}<br/>{{USA}}
| The [[Niagara Whirlpool]] is a [[natural]] [[whirlpool]] along the '''Niagara River''' located along the [[Canada–United States border|Canada–US border]] between [[New York (state)|New York]] and [[Ontario]]. The whirlpool is located in the [[Niagara Gorge]], downstream from [[Niagara Falls]]. The whirlpool's greatest depth is 125 feet (38 m).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nyfalls.com/niagara/niagara-whirlpool.html |title=Whirlpool State Park - Niagara Falls, New York |publisher=Nyfalls.com |date=1935-09-13 |access-date=2011-08-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823205227/http://www.nyfalls.com/niagara/niagara-whirlpool.html |archive-date=2011-08-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| [[File:Niagara Whirlpool Spanish Aero Car.jpg|100px]]
|-
| Harvie Falls
| {{Coord|43.12206|N|79.074311|W|type:landmark}}
| {{CAN}}
| Tributary 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
| {{Coord|43.133547|N|79.050901|W|type:landmark}}
| {{CAN}}<br/>{{USA}}
|
|[[File:Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours in Devil's Hole Rapids in Niagara River Gorge.jpg|100px]]
|-
| Bloody Run Falls
| {{Coord|43.134987|N|79.047275|W|type:landmark}}
| {{USA}}
| Tributary 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.
| [[File:Log Cabin, Bloody Run, Niagara, N.Y, from Robert N. Dennis collection of stereoscopic views.jpg|Log Cabin, Bloody Run, Niagara, N.Y, from Robert N. Dennis collection of stereoscopic views|100px]]
|-
| [[Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant|Niagara Power Project]]
| {{Coord|43.142957|N|79.039807|W|type:landmark}}
| {{USA}}
|
|[[File:Robert moses secondary efflorescence 1.jpg|100px]]
|-
| [[Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Power Stations]]
| {{Coord|43.147419|N|79.04406|W|type:landmark}}
| {{CAN}}
|
|[[File:Adam Beck Complex.jpg|100px]]
|-
| Smeaton Falls
| {{Coord|43.156275|N|79.045998|W|type:landmark}}
| {{CAN}}
| Tributary 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.
|[[File:Smeaton Falls.jpg|100px]]
|-
| Spring Cave Cascade
| {{Coord|43.157348|N|79.044372|W|type:landmark}}
| {{USA}}
| Historic 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 Falls
| {{Coord|43.159018|N|79.04459|W|type:landmark}}
| {{USA}}
| Tributary 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 Falls
| {{Coord|43.159183|N|79.047532|W|type:landmark}}
| {{CAN}}
| Tributary 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.
|[[File:Locust Grove Falls.jpg|100px]]
|-
| Mouth of Niagara River
| {{Coord|43.262722|N|79.070646|W|type:landmark}}
| {{CAN}}<br/>{{USA}}
|
|[[File:Niagara river mouth.JPG|100px]]
|-
|}


==Islands==
==Islands==
Several islands are located on the upper river before the falls:
Several islands are located on the upper river upriver from the falls:
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:1em auto;"
|-
! Name
! Location
! Country
! Status
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| Bird Island
| [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]]
| nowrap | {{USA}}
| Filled in
| Connected to Unity Island in 1822 as part of improvements to Black Rock harbor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Waterways and Canal Construction, 1700-1825. Buffalo, N.Y.|url=http://www.buffalonian.com/history/industry/waterways/WATERWAYS3.html |archive-date=February 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206101921/http://www.buffalonian.com/history/industry/waterways/WATERWAYS3.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| Brig Island
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| {{USA}}
| Park
| Part of Niagara Falls State Park.
|-
| [[Brother Island, Niagara River|Brother Island]]
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| nowrap | {{USA}}
| Park
| Located near Niagara Falls and the Three Sisters Islands; part of Niagara Falls State Park.
|-
| [[Buckhorn Island State Park|Buckhorn Island]]
| [[Grand Island, New York|Grand Island]]
| nowrap | {{USA}}
| Park
| Located on the north end of Grand Island. A state park.
|-
| [[Cayuga Island]]
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| {{USA}}
| Residential
| Located at the mouth of Cayuga Creek; a residential neighborhood of the city.
|-
| [[Cedar Island (Niagara River)|Cedar Island]]
| [[Niagara Falls, Ontario|Niagara Falls]]
| {{CAN}}
| Filled in
| Filled in by the creation of the [[Rankine Generating Station]] by Canadian Niagara Power Company in 1905.
|-
| Conners Island
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| {{USA}}
| Filled in
| Also known in some sources as "Coroner Island".<ref name="ngmdb.usgs.gov">[https://web.archive.org/web/20180715093647/https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/img4/ht_icons/Browse/NY/NY_Niagara%20Falls_144235_1901_62500.jpg https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/img4/ht_icons/Browse/NY/NY_Niagara%20Falls_144235_1901_62500.jpg]</ref> Filled in sometime in the 1950s or early '60s.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180715093650/https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/img4/ht_icons/Browse/NY/NY_Niagara%20Falls_128711_1949_24000.jpg https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/img4/ht_icons/Browse/NY/NY_Niagara%20Falls_128711_1949_24000.jpg]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180715093740/https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/img4/ht_icons/Browse/NY/NY_Niagara%20Falls_128712_1965_24000.jpg https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/img4/ht_icons/Browse/NY/NY_Niagara%20Falls_128712_1965_24000.jpg]</ref> Currently the site of the Niagara Power Station Intake.<ref name="Linnabery"/>
|-
| Deer Island
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| {{USA}}
|
|
|-
| [[Dufferin Islands]]
| [[Niagara Falls, Ontario|Niagara Falls]]
| {{CAN}}
| Park
| Man-made islands. Parkland.
|-
| [[Goat Island (New York)|Goat Island]]
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| {{USA}}
| Park
| Located 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 (after the Greek Goddess of the Rainbow). Now part of Niagara Falls State Park.
|-
| [[Tonawanda, New York#Goose Island|Goose Island]]
| [[Tonawanda (city), New York|City of Tonawanda]]
| {{USA}}
| Man-made/filled in
| Was located at the confluence of [[Tonawanda Creek]] and the Tonawanda Channel of the Niagara River. Existed from 1825, when the [[Erie Canal]] was constructed (thereby cutting Goose Island off from the mainland) until the 1940s, when this portion of the canal was filled in.
|-
| [[Grand Island, New York|Grand Island]]
|
| {{USA}}
| Developed
| The largest island on the river; includes several parks, but is mostly residential and industrial; originally called Ga-We-Not (Great Island) by the [[Seneca people|Seneca]].
|-
| Grass Island
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| {{USA}}
| Filled in
| Filled in during the 1960s to create the [[Robert Moses Parkway]] at Point Day.
|-
| Green Island
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| {{USA}}
| Park
| Originally called Bath Island, it was renamed in the early 1900s for [[Niagara Reservation Commissioner]] [[Andrew H. Green]]. Part of Niagara Falls State Park.
|-
| [[Gull Island (Niagara River)|Gull Island]]
| [[Niagara Falls, Ontario|Niagara Falls]]
| {{CAN}}
| Park
| Located near the wreck of the Old Scow in Canadian waters.
|-
| Hogg Island
| [[Niagara Falls, Ontario|Niagara Falls]]
| {{CAN}}
| Filled in
| Filled 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 [[Ontario Hydro|Hydro Electric Power Commission of Ontario]].
|-
| [[Beaver Island State Park|Little Beaver Island]]
| [[Grand Island, New York|Grand Island]]
| nowrap | {{USA}}
| Park
| Located off the south end of Grand Island; part of Beaver Island State Park.
|-
| [[Luna Island]]
| nowrap | [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| {{USA}}
| Park
| Located next to Goat Island; originally called Prospect Island. Part of Niagara Falls State Park.
|-
| Motor Island
| [[Grand Island, New York|Grand Island]]
| {{USA}}
| Park
| Also known as Pirates' Island (the name of a private club once located there) and Frog Island (not to be confused with the former Frog Island listed below).<ref>''Island Dispatch'', 16th June 1989</ref> A [[New York State Wildlife Management Area]].
|-
| [[Navy Island]]
| [[Niagara Falls, Ontario|Niagara Falls]]
| {{CAN}}
| Park
| Designated as a National Historic Park.
|-
| Rattlesnake Island
| [[Tonawanda (town), New York|Town of Tonawanda]]
| {{USA}}
| Filled in
| Was located just south of what is today the South Grand Island Bridge. Was filled in sometime between 1915<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.historicmapworks.com/Map/US/38766/Tonawanda+Town+8++Riverside+Land+Company/Buffalo+1915+Vol+3+Suburban/New+York/|title=Tonawanda Town 8, Riverside Land Company, Atlas: Buffalo 1915 Vol 3 Suburban, New York Historical Map}}</ref> and 1927,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.erie.gov/aerials/1920s/atlases/book8/html/b8_e26.html |title=County Map Atlas No. 8 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061002162307/http://www.erie.gov/aerials/1920s/atlases/book8/html/b8_e26.html |archive-date=October 2, 2006 }}</ref> concurrent with the heavy industrial development of the area.
|-
| Robinson Island
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| {{USA}}
| Park
| Named for daredevil Joel Robinson in 1860. Now part of Niagara Falls State Park.
|-
| Ship Island
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| {{USA}}
| Park
| Part of Niagara Falls State Park.
|-
| Stony Island
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| {{USA}}
| Unknown
| Shown in the 1908 ''New Century Atlas of Niagara and Orleans County'' but not mentioned in any other source.<ref name="Linnabery"/> Supposedly located just offshore from the mouth of Gill Creek.<ref name="ngmdb.usgs.gov"/> No longer extant, if it ever was.
|-
| [[Strawberry Island (New York)|Strawberry Island]]
| [[Tonawanda (town), New York|Town of Tonawanda]]
| {{USA}}
| Park
| A small island, formerly much larger but diminished by gravel mining and erosion.<ref name=F&W_HabAssess>{{cite web |url=http://www.dos.ny.gov/opd/programs/consistency/Habitats/GreatLakes/Strawberry_Island_Motor_Island.pdf |title=Strawberry Island - Motor Island Shallows Coastal Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Form |publisher=NYS Department of State |date=October 15, 1987 |access-date=April 10, 2016 |archive-date=October 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016172025/https://www.dos.ny.gov/opd/programs/consistency/Habitats/GreatLakes/Strawberry_Island_Motor_Island.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> An undeveloped state park and wildlife preserve.<ref name=NFP_StrwIs_Restore>{{cite web |url=http://www.wnypapers.com/news/article/current/2015/03/30/120191/grand-island-nypa-approves-contract-for-strawberry-island-wetland-restoration-habitat-improvement |title=Grand Island: NYPA approves contract for Strawberry Island wetland restoration, habitat improvement |newspaper=Niagara Frontier Publications |date=March 30, 2015 |access-date=April 11, 2016}}</ref>
|-
| Tern Island
|
| {{USA}}
| Submerged/reconstructed
| Originally known as Frog Island; was located in the Upper Niagara River between Motor and Strawberry Islands; disappeared sometime between 1951 and 1985 due to erosion.<ref>http://niagara.nypa.gov/EcologicalStandingCommittee{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Re-created as a habitat for fish, aquatic plants, and waterfowl<ref name="BN_FrogIs_Restore">{{cite web|author=Pignataro, T.J.|date=August 22, 2015|title=Restoration of Frog Island hailed as Buffalo comeback story|url=http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/restoration-of-frog-island-hailed-as-buffalo-comeback-story-20150822|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823143507/http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/restoration-of-frog-island-hailed-as-buffalo-comeback-story-20150822|archive-date=August 23, 2015|access-date=April 10, 2016|newspaper=The Buffalo News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://buffalorising.com/2013/10/frog-island-habitat-restoration/|title = Frog Island Habitat Restoration|date = October 2013}}</ref> including a nesting colony of [[common tern]]s established in 2021, for whom the new island was named.<ref>{{cite web|author=Sotelo, Gabriella|date=September 2, 2021|title=Nesting Common Terns Get a New Island Home in Buffalo|publisher=[[Audubon]]}}</ref>
|-
| [[Three Sisters Islands (New York)|Three Sisters Islands]]
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| {{USA}}
| Park
| Located next to [[Goat Island (New York)|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]] (Asenath, Angeline and Celinda Eliza) in 1843.
|-
| nowrap | Tonawanda Island
| [[North Tonawanda, New York|North Tonawanda]]
| {{USA}}
| Developed
| Occupied by a marina and several industries.
|-
| Tower Island
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| {{USA}}
| Man-made
| Man-made island created in 1942 and completed in 1954 by the [[US Army Corps of Engineers]] to construct [[International Control Dam]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Niagara River Islands History - Tower Island, Niagara Falls USA|date=3 February 2017|url=https://www.niagarafallsinfo.com/niagara-falls-history/niagara-falls-geology/upper-niagara-river-islands/tower-island/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001182309/https://www.niagarafallsinfo.com/niagara-falls-history/niagara-falls-geology/upper-niagara-river-islands/tower-island/|archive-date=2019-10-01|access-date=2019-10-01}}</ref>
|-
| [[Unity Island]]
| [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]]
| {{USA}}
| Developed
| Home to [[Broderick Park]], Unity Island Park, and a waste-water treatment facility.
|-
| Willow Island
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| {{USA}}
| Man-made/filled in
| Man-made island created in 1759 by Daniel Joncairs and filled in during the 1960s to create the [[Robert Moses Parkway]].
|-
|}


==Military posts==
* [[Navy Island]] - the only island within Canada and designated as a national historic park
* [[Grand Island, New York]] - the largest island on the river; some parks, but mostly residential and industrial
* Strawberry Island - a small park
* Motor Island - a small park
* Squaw Island - located in the city of Buffalo, New York and home to Broderick Park and a waste treatment facility
* Tonawanda Island - occupied by marina and some industries
* Buckhorn Island - park located on the north end of Grand Island
* Goat Island - park located at the brink of the American Falls
* Three Sisters Island - park located next to Goat Island
* Green Island - park located near Goat Island
* Luna Island - park located next to Goat Island
* Cayuga Island - located on the Tonawanda side of the river and mainly residential


[[United States Coast Guard]] [[Fort Niagara]] Station was once a [[United States Army]] post. There are no [[Canadian Coast Guard]] posts along the river. [[Fort Mississauga]], [[Fort George, Ontario|Fort George]] and [[Fort Erie]] are former [[United Kingdom|British]] and [[Canada|Canadian]] military forts (last used 1953, 1965 and 1923 respectively) and are now parks.
==Notes==
<!--<nowiki>
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes for an explanation of how to generate footnotes using the <ref> and </ref> tags.
</nowiki>-->
{{reflist}}


[[Navy Island Royal Naval Shipyard]] was used by the [[French Navy]] in the 18th century as a naval base and by the [[Royal Navy]] from 1763 as a small shipyard, and abandoned around 1818 after the ratification of the [[Rush–Bagot Treaty]] in 1817.
==References==
* Tiplin, Albert H.; Seibel, George A. and Seibel, Olive M. (1988) ''Our romantic Niagara: a geological history of the river and the falls'' Niagara Falls Heritage Foundation, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, ISBN 0969045727


==Further reading==
==Roads==

* Hulbert, A. B. (1908). [http://books.google.com/books?id=3cQBAAAAMAAJ The Niagara River]. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons.
On the Canadian side the [[Niagara Parkway]] travels along the River from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie.

{{jct|state=NY|NY|18F}} lines the river on the state side from Fort Niagara to Lewiston. {{jct|state=NY|Parkway|Niagara Scenic}} on the state side only travels along the River from the Falls to Lewiston. The remaining river sections (with some interruptions) are covered by the {{jct|state=NY|LSEX}}, {{jct|state=NY|NY|384}}, {{jct|state=NY|NY|266}} and {{jct|state=NY|I|190|name1=Niagara Thruway|NYST}}.


==See also==
==See also==
*[[List of international border rivers]]
{{commonscat}}
*[[List of New York rivers]]
*[[List of New York rivers]]
*[[List of Ontario rivers]]
*[[List of Ontario rivers]]
*[[Whirlpool Aero Car]]
*[[Whirlpool Aero Car]]

==References==
{{Reflist
|refs =
<ref name=Linnabery>{{cite news|url=http://www.lockportjournal.com/news/lifestyles/niagara-discoveries-the-lost-islands-of-the-niagara-river/article_305cd781-51bd-507c-90ba-7079cf05893d.html|title=NIAGARA DISCOVERIES: The lost islands of the Niagara River|last=Linnabery|first=Ann Marie|date=January 28, 2017|work=Lockport Union-Sun & Journal|access-date=July 14, 2018}}</ref>
}}

* Tiplin, Albert H.; Seibel, George A. and Seibel, Olive M. (1988) ''Our romantic Niagara: a geological history of the river and the falls'' Niagara Falls Heritage Foundation, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, {{ISBN|0-9690457-2-7}}

==Further reading==
* Hulbert, A. B. (1908). [https://archive.org/details/niagarariver00hulbgoog The Niagara River]. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons.


==External links==
==External links==
{{Portal bar|New York (state)|Ontario}}
* [http://www.sonbaski.com/yenisite/sayi10niagara.htm Niagara Photos]
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.hanifworld.com/NiagaraArea.htm Niagara River and its Around Views]
{{Wikisource1911Enc|Niagara}}
* [http://www.nflibrary.ca/nfplindex/results.asp?action=browse&q=295&key=221 Views of the Niagara River] Niagara Falls Public Library (Ontario)
* [http://www.nflibrary.ca/nfplindex/results.asp?action=browse&q=295&key=158 Digital Images of the Islands of the Niagara River] Niagara Falls Public Library (Ontario)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140701145456/http://bnriverkeeper.org/ Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071011072645/http://niagarafrontier.com/islands.html Niagara Falls The Islands] A History of the Niagara River Islands
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140218082620/http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/en/article/niagara-river/ "Niagara River"] from ''The Canadian Encyclopedia''.


{{Greatlakes}}
[[Category:Niagara River|*]]
{{Ramsar sites in the United States}}
{{Niagara Falls}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Niagara River| ]]
[[bs:Nijagara]]
[[Category:International rivers of North America]]
[[ca:Riu Niàgara]]
[[Category:Rivers of New York (state)]]
[[cs:Niagara]]
[[Category:Rivers of the Regional Municipality of Niagara]]
[[de:Niagara River]]
[[Category:Canada–United States border]]
[[et:Niagara jõgi]]
[[es:Río Niágara]]
[[Category:Border rivers]]
<!-- [[Category:Tributaries of Lake Ontario]] Suppressed this category as Category:Niagara River (used in the article) itself has Category:Tributaries of Lake Ontario as a category-->
[[eo:Niagaro]]
[[fr:Niagara (rivière)]]
[[Category:Rivers of Niagara County, New York]]
[[Category:Rivers of Erie County, New York]]
[[gl:Río Niágara]]
[[Category:Saint Lawrence Seaway]]
[[ko:나이아가라 강]]
[[Category:Ramsar sites in the United States]]
[[hr:Niagara]]
[[Category:New York (state) placenames of Native American origin]]
[[it:Niagara (fiume)]]
[[lt:Niagara (upė)]]
[[nl:Niagara (rivier)]]
[[pl:Niagara (rzeka)]]
[[pt:Rio Niágara]]
[[ru:Ниагара]]
[[sk:Niagara]]
[[sr:Нијагара (река)]]
[[sv:Niagarafloden]]
[[zh:尼亚加拉河]]

Latest revision as of 10:46, 19 December 2024

Not to be confused with Nagara River.
Niagara River
The Niagara River at Niagara Gorge in May 2008
Niagara River is located in North America
Niagara River
Niagara River is located in Southern Ontario
Niagara River
Niagara River is located in New York
Niagara River
Location
Countries
Province / State
Physical characteristics
SourceLake Erie
 • elevation173.43 m (569 ft)[1]
MouthLake Ontario
 • coordinates
43°04′41″N 79°04′37″W / 43.078°N 79.077°W / 43.078; -79.077
 • elevation
74.1 m (243 ft)[2]
Length58 km (36 mi)[3]
Basin size684,000 km2 (264,000 sq mi)[3]
Discharge 
 • average5,796 m3/s (204,700 cu ft/s)[4]
Basin features
ProgressionLake Ontario→ Saint Lawrence River→ Gulf of Saint Lawrence
Tributaries 
 • leftWelland River
 • rightTonawanda Creek
Official nameNiagara River Corridor
Designated3 October 2019
Reference no.2402[5]
Satellite image of Niagara River flowing north from Lake Erie (bottom) to Lake Ontario (top). The river flows around Grand Island, and then flows over Niagara Falls. It narrows in the Niagara Gorge, where two hydropower reservoirs are visible, and then widens after exiting the gorge. The Welland Canal is visible on the far left.
American Falls with Goat Island to its right

The Niagara River (/naɪˈæɡərə, -ɡrə/ ny-AGG-ər-ə, -⁠grə) flows north from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, forming part of the border between Ontario, Canada, to the west, and New York, United States, to the east. The origin of the river's name is debated. Iroquoian scholar Bruce Trigger suggests it is derived from a branch of the local Neutral Confederacy, referred to as the Niagagarega people on several late-17th-century French maps.[6] George R. Stewart posits that it comes from an Iroquois town named Ongniaahra, meaning "point of land cut in two."[7]

The river, occasionally described as a strait,[8] is approximately 58 kilometres (36 mi) long and includes Niagara Falls. Over the past 12,000 years, the falls have moved roughly 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) upstream from the Niagara Escarpment, creating a gorge below the falls. Today, the diversion of the river for electricity generation has significantly slowed the rate of erosion. The total elevation drop along the river is 99 metres (325 ft). The Niagara Gorge, downstream from the falls, includes the Niagara Whirlpool and additional rapids.

Power plants on the river include the Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Generating Stations (built in 1922 and 1954) on the Canadian side, and the Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant (built in 1961) on the American side, collectively generating 4.4 gigawatts of electricity. The International Control Dam, constructed in 1954, regulates river flow. Ships on the Great Lakes use the Welland Canal, part of the St. Lawrence Seaway, on the Canadian side of the river, to bypass Niagara Falls.

The Niagara River features two large islands and several smaller ones. Grand Island and Navy Island, the two largest, are on the American and Canadian sides, respectively. Goat Island and the small Luna Island divide Niagara Falls into three sections: Horseshoe Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and American Falls. Unity Island lies further upstream, adjacent to the city of Buffalo.

The Niagara River and its tributaries, Tonawanda Creek and the Welland River, formed part of the final section of the Erie Canal and Welland Canal. After leaving Lockport, the Erie Canal heads southwest into Tonawanda Creek. Upon entering the Niagara River, watercraft proceed south to the final lock, where a short canal section allows boats to bypass turbulent shoal water and enter Lake Erie. The Welland Canals used the Welland River to connect to the Niagara River south of the falls, enabling water traffic to safely re-enter the river and continue to Lake Erie.

History

[edit]
The Niagara River and trees are depicted in the painting.
Watercolour by Elizabeth Simcoe depicting the Niagara River from Queenston Heights, c. 1793
Niagara River at Queenston, Ontario, then known as Queenstown, Upper Canada, c. 1805 watercolour

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 (1698).[9]

The Niagara River was the site of the earliest recorded railway in America. It was an inclined wooden tramway built by John Montresor (1736–1799), 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.[10]

In 1781, the Niagara Purchase was signed, involving a 6.5-kilometre-wide (4.0 mi) strip of land bordering the west bank of the Niagara River, connecting Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.[11]

Several battles occurred along the Niagara River, which was historically defended by Fort George (Canadian side) and Fort Niagara (American side) at the mouth of the river and Fort Erie (Canadian side) at the head of the river. These forts were important during the Seven Years' War (known as the French and Indian War in the United States) 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, as 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 the world harnessed for large-scale generation of hydroelectricity.[12][13]

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 (a National Historic Site maintained federally by Parks Canada), 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

[edit]
Whirlpool Aero Car crossing Niagara Whirlpool

Cities and towns along the Niagara River include:

Name Country
Buffalo  United States
Chippawa  Canada
Fort Erie  Canada
Lewiston  United States
Grand Island  United States
Niagara Falls  United States
Niagara Falls  Canada
Niagara-on-the-Lake  Canada
North Tonawanda  United States
Porter  United States
Queenston  Canada
Tonawanda (City)  United States
Tonawanda (Town)  United States
Wheatfield  United States
Youngstown  United States

Pollution

[edit]

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

[edit]
Main article: List of crossings of the Niagara River

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

[edit]
Niagara Glen features many rapids downstream of Niagara Falls

The following parks are located along the Niagara River:

Name Country
Beaver Island State Park  United States
Bowen Road Park  Canada
Browns Point Park  Canada
Buckhorn Island State Park  United States
De Veaux Woods State Park  United States
Dufferin Islands Natural Area  Canada
Earl W. Brydges Artpark State Park  United States
Falkner Park  United States
Fisherman's Park  United States
Floral Clock Park  Canada
Fort George National Historic Site  Canada
Fort Niagara State Park  United States
Freedom Park  United States
Gratwick Riverside Park  United States
Griffon Park  United States
Jayne Park  United States
Joseph Davis State Park  United States
King's Bridge Park  Canada
MacFarland Park  Canada
Niagara Falls State Park  United States
Niagara Glen Nature Reserve  Canada
Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens  Canada
Niawanda Park[14]  United States
Nike Base Park  United States
Queen's Parade Park & Memorial Park  Canada
Queenston Heights  Canada
Riverside Park  United States
Strawberry Island State Park  United States
Sugar Bowl Park  Canada
Veterans Memorial Park  United States
Queen Victoria Park  Canada
Whirlpool State Park  United States

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

Hydrologic features

[edit]
Map this section's coordinates using OpenStreetMap

Download coordinates as:

Hydrologic Features of the Niagara River
Feature Location Country Notes Photo
Source of Niagara River 42°54′16″N 78°54′21″W / 42.904325°N 78.905869°W / 42.904325; -78.905869  Canada
 United States 		The Niagara River originates at the north-east end of Lake Erie, and flows north to its mouth at Lake Ontario.
Black Rock Canal 42°54′25″N 78°54′07″W / 42.90706°N 78.902053°W / 42.90706; -78.902053  United States Black 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.[15] 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 Ditch 42°55′14″N 78°54′42″W / 42.920689°N 78.911785°W / 42.920689; -78.911785  Canada Historic tributary. Once served as a drainage ditch for Gould National Battery plant.[16]
Scajaquada Creek 42°55′45″N 78°53′57″W / 42.929091°N 78.899056°W / 42.929091; -78.899056  United States Tributary.
Frenchman's Creek 42°56′34″N 78°55′39″W / 42.942648°N 78.927391°W / 42.942648; -78.927391  Canada Tributary.
Chippawa Channel 42°57′12″N 78°56′15″W / 42.953344°N 78.937626°W / 42.953344; -78.937626  Canada
 United States 		The north-flowing Niagara River bifurcates at the south tip of Grand Island (both sections rejoin at the north tip). "Chippawa Channel" is the river passage on the west side of Grand Island.
Miller Creek 42°57′19″N 78°58′31″W / 42.955315°N 78.97537°W / 42.955315; -78.97537  Canada Tributary.
Tonawanda Channel 42°57′39″N 78°55′46″W / 42.960757°N 78.929386°W / 42.960757; -78.929386  United States When 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 Creek 42°58′22″N 79°00′29″W / 42.972761°N 79.008039°W / 42.972761; -79.008039  Canada Tributary.
Black Creek 42°58′52″N 79°01′25″W / 42.980999°N 79.023499°W / 42.980999; -79.023499  Canada Tributary.
Boyer's Creek 43°00′07″N 79°01′46″W / 43.00194°N 79.029508°W / 43.00194; -79.029508  Canada Tributary.
Two Mile Creek 43°00′39″N 78°54′24″W / 43.010845°N 78.906555°W / 43.010845; -78.906555  United States Tributary.
Little River (at Tonawanda Island) 43°01′23″N 78°53′06″W / 43.022926°N 78.884969°W / 43.022926; -78.884969  United States Flows between Tonawanda Island and the New York mainland, within the Tonawanda Channel.
Tonawanda Creek 43°01′24″N 78°52′54″W / 43.02338°N 78.881707°W / 43.02338; -78.881707  United States Tributary.
Spicer Creek 43°01′31″N 78°53′39″W / 43.025279°N 78.894153°W / 43.025279; -78.894153  United States Tributary on Grand Island, New York.
Big Sixmile Creek 43°01′35″N 79°00′42″W / 43.026494°N 79.011773°W / 43.026494; -79.011773  United States Tributary on Grand Island, New York.
Little Sixmile Creek 43°01′43″N 79°00′37″W / 43.028502°N 79.010217°W / 43.028502; -79.010217  United States Tributary on Grand Island, New York.
Niagara River Channel 43°02′09″N 78°53′38″W / 43.035772°N 78.893809°W / 43.035772; -78.893809  United States When 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 Creek 43°02′58″N 78°54′57″W / 43.049455°N 78.915728°W / 43.049455; -78.915728  United States Tributary on Grand Island, New York.
Usshers Creek 43°03′05″N 79°01′21″W / 43.051282°N 79.022577°W / 43.051282; -79.022577  Canada Tributary.
Burnt Ship Creek 43°03′40″N 78°59′51″W / 43.060987°N 78.997493°W / 43.060987; -78.997493  United States Tributary on Grand Island, New York.
Woods Creek 43°03′44″N 78°58′37″W / 43.062335°N 78.976958°W / 43.062335; -78.976958  United States Tributary on Grand Island, New York.
Welland River 43°03′46″N 79°02′53″W / 43.062711°N 79.047961°W / 43.062711; -79.047961  Canada Historic 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 43°04′02″N 79°03′14″W / 43.067124°N 79.053959°W / 43.067124; -79.053959  Canada
Little River (at Cayuga Island) 43°04′23″N 78°57′06″W / 43.073167°N 78.951724°W / 43.073167; -78.951724  United States Flows between Cayuga Island and the New York mainland, within the Niagara River Channel.
Cayuga Creek 43°04′33″N 78°57′46″W / 43.075894°N 78.962753°W / 43.075894; -78.962753  United States Tributary.
Underwater intake for tunnel to Niagara Power Project 43°04′38″N 79°00′57″W / 43.07725°N 79.015796°W / 43.07725; -79.015796  United States
Horseshoe Falls 43°04′38″N 79°04′30″W / 43.077289°N 79.075127°W / 43.077289; -79.075127  Canada Located 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 (see Niagara Falls#History).
Gill Creek 43°04′42″N 79°01′33″W / 43.078292°N 79.025838°W / 43.078292; -79.025838  United States Tributary.
Goat Island Channel 43°04′50″N 79°03′38″W / 43.080612°N 79.060535°W / 43.080612; -79.060535  United States The Niagara River bifurcates at the south-east tip of Goat Island. "Goat Island Channel" is the north-east passage around the island.
Bridal Veil Falls 43°05′02″N 79°04′15″W / 43.083781°N 79.070776°W / 43.083781; -79.070776  United States Located between Goat Island and Luna Island, Bridal Veil Falls is the smallest (and middle) of the three parallel waterfalls over which the Niagara River flows. It is entirely within the US.
American Falls 43°05′06″N 79°04′10″W / 43.084866°N 79.069462°W / 43.084866; -79.069462  United States Located 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 Falls 43°06′54″N 79°03′45″W / 43.114972°N 79.06252°W / 43.114972; -79.06252  Canada Historic 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 43°06′58″N 79°03′45″W / 43.116006°N 79.062488°W / 43.116006; -79.062488  Canada
 United States
Colt's Creek Falls 43°07′11″N 79°04′19″W / 43.119757°N 79.071929°W / 43.119757; -79.071929  Canada Tributary 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 43°07′13″N 79°04′10″W / 43.120219°N 79.069526°W / 43.120219; -79.069526  Canada
 United States 		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 (38 m).[17]
Harvie Falls 43°07′19″N 79°04′28″W / 43.12206°N 79.074311°W / 43.12206; -79.074311  Canada Tributary 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 43°08′01″N 79°03′03″W / 43.133547°N 79.050901°W / 43.133547; -79.050901  Canada
 United States
Bloody Run Falls 43°08′06″N 79°02′50″W / 43.134987°N 79.047275°W / 43.134987; -79.047275  United States Tributary 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. Log Cabin, Bloody Run, Niagara, N.Y, from Robert N. Dennis collection of stereoscopic views
Niagara Power Project 43°08′35″N 79°02′23″W / 43.142957°N 79.039807°W / 43.142957; -79.039807  United States
Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Power Stations 43°08′51″N 79°02′39″W / 43.147419°N 79.04406°W / 43.147419; -79.04406  Canada
Smeaton Falls 43°09′23″N 79°02′46″W / 43.156275°N 79.045998°W / 43.156275; -79.045998  Canada Tributary 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 Cascade 43°09′26″N 79°02′40″W / 43.157348°N 79.044372°W / 43.157348; -79.044372  United States Historic 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 Falls 43°09′32″N 79°02′41″W / 43.159018°N 79.04459°W / 43.159018; -79.04459  United States Tributary 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 Falls 43°09′33″N 79°02′51″W / 43.159183°N 79.047532°W / 43.159183; -79.047532  Canada Tributary 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 43°15′46″N 79°04′14″W / 43.262722°N 79.070646°W / 43.262722; -79.070646  Canada
 United States

Islands

[edit]

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

Name Location Country Status Notes
Bird Island Buffalo  United States Filled in Connected to Unity Island in 1822 as part of improvements to Black Rock harbor.[18]
Brig Island Niagara Falls  United States Park Part of Niagara Falls State Park.
Brother Island Niagara Falls  United States Park Located near Niagara Falls and the Three Sisters Islands; part of Niagara Falls State Park.
Buckhorn Island Grand Island  United States Park Located on the north end of Grand Island. A state park.
Cayuga Island Niagara Falls  United States Residential Located at the mouth of Cayuga Creek; a residential neighborhood of the city.
Cedar Island Niagara Falls  Canada Filled in Filled in by the creation of the Rankine Generating Station by Canadian Niagara Power Company in 1905.
Conners Island Niagara Falls  United States Filled in Also known in some sources as "Coroner Island".[19] Filled in sometime in the 1950s or early '60s.[20][21] Currently the site of the Niagara Power Station Intake.[22]
Deer Island Niagara Falls  United States
Dufferin Islands Niagara Falls  Canada Park Man-made islands. Parkland.
Goat Island Niagara Falls  United States Park Located 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 (after the Greek Goddess of the Rainbow). Now part of Niagara Falls State Park.
Goose Island City of Tonawanda  United States Man-made/filled in Was located at the confluence of Tonawanda Creek and the Tonawanda Channel of the Niagara River. Existed from 1825, when the Erie Canal was constructed (thereby cutting Goose Island off from the mainland) until the 1940s, when this portion of the canal was filled in.
Grand Island  United States Developed The largest island on the river; includes several parks, but is mostly residential and industrial; originally called Ga-We-Not (Great Island) by the Seneca.
Grass Island Niagara Falls  United States Filled in Filled in during the 1960s to create the Robert Moses Parkway at Point Day.
Green Island Niagara Falls  United States Park Originally called Bath Island, it was renamed in the early 1900s for Niagara Reservation Commissioner Andrew H. Green. Part of Niagara Falls State Park.
Gull Island Niagara Falls  Canada Park Located near the wreck of the Old Scow in Canadian waters.
Hogg Island Niagara Falls  Canada Filled in Filled 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 Island Grand Island  United States Park Located off the south end of Grand Island; part of Beaver Island State Park.
Luna Island Niagara Falls  United States Park Located next to Goat Island; originally called Prospect Island. Part of Niagara Falls State Park.
Motor Island Grand Island  United States Park Also known as Pirates' Island (the name of a private club once located there) and Frog Island (not to be confused with the former Frog Island listed below).[23] A New York State Wildlife Management Area.
Navy Island Niagara Falls  Canada Park Designated as a National Historic Park.
Rattlesnake Island Town of Tonawanda  United States Filled in Was located just south of what is today the South Grand Island Bridge. Was filled in sometime between 1915[24] and 1927,[25] concurrent with the heavy industrial development of the area.
Robinson Island Niagara Falls  United States Park Named for daredevil Joel Robinson in 1860. Now part of Niagara Falls State Park.
Ship Island Niagara Falls  United States Park Part of Niagara Falls State Park.
Stony Island Niagara Falls  United States Unknown Shown in the 1908 New Century Atlas of Niagara and Orleans County but not mentioned in any other source.[22] Supposedly located just offshore from the mouth of Gill Creek.[19] No longer extant, if it ever was.
Strawberry Island Town of Tonawanda  United States Park A small island, formerly much larger but diminished by gravel mining and erosion.[26] An undeveloped state park and wildlife preserve.[27]
Tern Island  United States Submerged/reconstructed Originally known as Frog Island; was located in the Upper Niagara River between Motor and Strawberry Islands; disappeared sometime between 1951 and 1985 due to erosion.[28] Re-created as a habitat for fish, aquatic plants, and waterfowl[29][30] including a nesting colony of common terns established in 2021, for whom the new island was named.[31]
Three Sisters Islands Niagara Falls  United States Park Located 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 (Asenath, Angeline and Celinda Eliza) in 1843.
Tonawanda Island North Tonawanda  United States Developed Occupied by a marina and several industries.
Tower Island Niagara Falls  United States Man-made Man-made island created in 1942 and completed in 1954 by the US Army Corps of Engineers to construct International Control Dam.[32]
Unity Island Buffalo  United States Developed Home to Broderick Park, Unity Island Park, and a waste-water treatment facility.
Willow Island Niagara Falls  United States Man-made/filled in Man-made island created in 1759 by Daniel Joncairs and filled in during the 1960s to create the Robert Moses Parkway.

Military posts

[edit]

United States Coast Guard Fort Niagara 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 (last used 1953, 1965 and 1923 respectively) and are now parks.

Navy Island Royal Naval Shipyard was used by the French Navy in the 18th century as a naval base and by the Royal Navy from 1763 as a small shipyard, and abandoned around 1818 after the ratification of the Rush–Bagot Treaty in 1817.

Roads

[edit]

On the Canadian side the Niagara Parkway travels along the River from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie.

NY 18F lines the river on the state side from Fort Niagara to Lewiston. Niagara Scenic Parkway on the state side only travels along the River from the Falls to Lewiston. The remaining river sections (with some interruptions) are covered by the LaSalle Expressway, NY 384, NY 266 and I-190 (Niagara Thruway) / New York Thruway.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Inferred from Lake Erie. Retrieved 2021-01-30.
  2. ^ Inferred from Lake Ontario. Retrieved 2021-01-30.
  3. ^ a b "Facts & Figures - Niagara Parks, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada". Archived from the original (online) on December 9, 2003. Retrieved May 30, 2007.
  4. ^ Water Resources Data New York Water Year 2003, Volume 3: Western New York, USGS
  5. ^ "Niagara River Corridor". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Archived from the original on 14 January 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  6. ^ Bruce Trigger, The Children of Aataentsic (McGill-Queen's University Press, Kingston and Montreal,1987, ISBN 0-7735-0626-8), p. 95.
  7. ^ Stewart, George R. (1967) Names on the Land. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company; p. 83.
  8. ^ Mobot.org
  9. ^ Hennepin, Louis. A New Discovery of a Vast Country in America. Chicago: A.C. McClurg & Co., 1903. Accessed December 8, 2008.
  10. ^ Porter, Peter (1914). Landmarks of the Niagara Frontier. The Author.
  11. ^ "Niagara Purchase | The Canadian Encyclopedia". www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved 2021-10-13.
  12. ^ Electricity and its Development at Niagara Falls Archived 2009-01-24 at the Wayback Machine. University at Buffalo, June 2004. Accessed December 8, 2008.
  13. ^ "Niagara Falls History". Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  14. ^ "Niawanda Park" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  15. ^ "Black Rock Canal". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved Jan. 3, 2013.
  16. ^ "Chemicals of Concern in the Niagara River Tributaries - 1988-89". Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy, Queen's Printer for Ontario, 1993.
  17. ^ "Whirlpool State Park - Niagara Falls, New York". Nyfalls.com. 1935-09-13. Archived from the original on 2011-08-23. Retrieved 2011-08-20.
  18. ^ "Waterways and Canal Construction, 1700-1825. Buffalo, N.Y." Archived from the original on February 6, 2012.
  19. ^ a b https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/img4/ht_icons/Browse/NY/NY_Niagara%20Falls_144235_1901_62500.jpg
  20. ^ https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/img4/ht_icons/Browse/NY/NY_Niagara%20Falls_128711_1949_24000.jpg
  21. ^ https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/img4/ht_icons/Browse/NY/NY_Niagara%20Falls_128712_1965_24000.jpg
  22. ^ a b Linnabery, Ann Marie (January 28, 2017). "NIAGARA DISCOVERIES: The lost islands of the Niagara River". Lockport Union-Sun & Journal. Retrieved July 14, 2018.
  23. ^ Island Dispatch, 16th June 1989
  24. ^ "Tonawanda Town 8, Riverside Land Company, Atlas: Buffalo 1915 Vol 3 Suburban, New York Historical Map".
  25. ^ "County Map Atlas No. 8". Archived from the original on October 2, 2006.
  26. ^ "Strawberry Island - Motor Island Shallows Coastal Fish & Wildlife Habitat Assessment Form" (PDF). NYS Department of State. October 15, 1987. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 16, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  27. ^ "Grand Island: NYPA approves contract for Strawberry Island wetland restoration, habitat improvement". Niagara Frontier Publications. March 30, 2015. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  28. ^ http://niagara.nypa.gov/EcologicalStandingCommittee[permanent dead link‍]
  29. ^ Pignataro, T.J. (August 22, 2015). "Restoration of Frog Island hailed as Buffalo comeback story". The Buffalo News. Archived from the original on August 23, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  30. ^ "Frog Island Habitat Restoration". October 2013.
  31. ^ Sotelo, Gabriella (September 2, 2021). "Nesting Common Terns Get a New Island Home in Buffalo". Audubon. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  32. ^ "Niagara River Islands History - Tower Island, Niagara Falls USA". 3 February 2017. Archived from the original on 2019-10-01. Retrieved 2019-10-01.
  • Tiplin, Albert H.; Seibel, George A. and Seibel, Olive M. (1988) Our romantic Niagara: a geological history of the river and the falls Niagara Falls Heritage Foundation, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, ISBN 0-9690457-2-7

Further reading

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