Niagara River

{{short description|River in New York, United States and Ontario, Canada}}

{{Infobox river

| name = Niagara River

| name_native =

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| image = Whirlpool Bridge (2936545446).jpg

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| image_caption = The Niagara River at Niagara Gorge in May 2008

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| pushpin_map = North America#Canada Southern Ontario#USA New York

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| subdivision_type1 = Countries

| subdivision_name1 = {{hlist|Canada|United States}}

| subdivision_type2 = Province / State

| subdivision_name2 = {{hlist|Ontario|New York}}

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| length = {{convert|58|km|abbr=on}}{{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 }}

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| discharge1_avg = {{convert|5,796|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}[http://pubs.usgs.gov/wdr/wdr-ny-03-3/ Water Resources Data New York Water Year 2003, Volume 3: Western New York], USGS

| discharge1_max =

| source1 = Lake Erie

| source1_location =

| source1_coordinates=

| source1_elevation = {{convert|173.43|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}Inferred from Lake Erie. Retrieved 2021-01-30.

| 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}}Inferred from Lake Ontario. Retrieved 2021-01-30.

| progression = {{PLake Ontario}}

| river_system =

| basin_size = {{convert|684000|km2|abbr=on}}

| basin_landmarks =

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| tributaries_left = Welland River

| tributaries_right = Tonawanda Creek

| waterbodies =

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| extra = {{Designation list

| embed = yes

| designation1 = Ramsar

| designation1_offname = Niagara River Corridor

| designation1_date = 3 October 2019

| designation1_number = 2402{{Cite web|title=Niagara River Corridor|website=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}}}}

}}{{Routemap

| title = Niagara River

| collapsible = yes

| map = -startCollapsible-collapsed

WFILL\WFILL\~~Lake Ontario

uSTR\

uWWSEL!~lCSTR\~~Niagara Escarpment

wCSTR!~RP4oq\~~{{Jctrdt|state=NY|I|190|ON|405}} / Queenston-Lewiston Bridge

uexRESVGr\wCSTR!~WABZgr\\~~Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Generating Stations

wCSTR!~WABZgl\uexRESVGl~~Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant

wCSTR\~~Devil's Hole Rapids

wCSTR!~lWHST\~~Niagara Whirlpool

wCSTR\~~Whirlpool Rapids

wCSTR!~uhSTRaeq\~~Whirlpool Rapids Bridge

wCSTR!~exhSTRaeq\~~Michigan Central Railway Bridge

wCSTR\~~Niagara Gorge

wCSTR!~RP4oq\~~{{Jctrdt|state=NY|NY|384|ON|420}} / Rainbow Bridge

WASSER+1\WASSER+4\

WFALLg\WFALLg\~~Horseshoe Falls / American Falls

WASSER2\WASSER3\~~Goat Island (New York)

uxWEIRf\~~International Control Dam

uCONTfaq\uexFABZgr+r!~uSTR+r\\~~ Welland River

uSTR+l\uABZlr\uextABZq+lr!~uSTR+r\uextCONTfq~~ Intakes

uISLAND\\uSKRZ-G4u\~~{{Jctrdt|state=NY|I|190|NY|324}} / North Grand Island Bridge

uSTR\\uexKRWl!~uISLAND\uexCONTgeq~~Cayuga Creek

uSTR\\uSTR\~~Grand Island, NY

uSTR\\uISLAND!~uKRWl\uCONTfq~~Tonawanda Creek / Erie Canal

uSTR\\uSKRZ-G4u\~~{{Jctrdt|state=NY|I|190|NY|324}} / South Grand Island Bridge

uSTRl\uABZ+lr\uSTRr\

uISLAND\~~Strawberry Island

uexSTR!~uKRWl\uKRW+r~~Black Rock Canal

uexSTR\uLock3~~Black Rock Lock

uexSTR!~hSTRaeq\umKRZusw~~International Railway Bridge

\uexSTR\ueABZgl\uexCONTgeq~~Scajaquada Creek

uexSTR\uSTR~~Unity Island

uexSKRZ-G2hl\uSKRZ-G2hr~~{{Jctrdt|state=ON|ON|QEW}} / Peace Bridge

WDOCKSa-R\WDOCKSa-L~~Lake Erie

-endCollapsible-

| map-title =

}}File:NiagaraRiverNASA.jpg, 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 with Goat Island to its right]]

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, 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.Bruce Trigger, The Children of Aataentsic (McGill-Queen's University Press, Kingston and Montreal,1987, {{ISBN|0-7735-0626-8}}), p. 95. George R. Stewart posits that it comes from an Iroquois town named Ongniaahra, meaning "point of land cut in two."Stewart, George R. (1967) Names on the Land. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company; p. 83.

The river, occasionally described as a strait,[http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/resbot/Niag/LakeLevels/isostatic.htm Mobot.org] 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 leading edge of 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 {{convert|99|m}}. 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

File:Niagara River from Queenston Heights (I0006956).tif depicting the Niagara River from Queenston Heights, {{circa|1793}}]]

Image:Edward Walsh - Queenstown, Upper Canada on the Niagara (a.k.a. Queenston, Ontario).jpg, 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 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).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.

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.{{cite book | last=Porter |first=Peter |title=Landmarks of the Niagara Frontier |publisher=The Author |year=1914}}

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.{{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}}

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.[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.{{cite web |title=Niagara Falls History |url=https://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/niagara-falls-state-park/history |access-date=24 October 2023}}

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

File:ON Niagara tango7174.jpg crossing Niagara Whirlpool]]

Cities and towns along the Niagara River include:

Name	Country
class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:1em auto;"
Buffalo	{{USA}}
Chippawa	{{CAN}}
Fort Erie	{{CAN}}
Lewiston	{{USA}}
Grand Island	{{USA}}
Niagara Falls	{{USA}}
Niagara Falls	{{CAN}}
Niagara-on-the-Lake	{{CAN}}
North Tonawanda	{{USA}}
Porter	{{USA}}
Queenston	{{CAN}}
Tonawanda (City)	{{USA}}
Tonawanda (Town)	{{USA}}
Wheatfield	{{USA}}
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

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

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 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	{{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{{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}}	{{USA}}
Nike Base Park	{{USA}}
Queen's Parade Park & Memorial Park	{{CAN}}
Queenston Heights	{{CAN}}
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

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}}
{{USA}}

| The Niagara River originates at the north-east end of Lake Erie, and flows north to its mouth at Lake Ontario.

| 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.[https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/68215/Black-Rock-Canal "Black Rock Canal"]. Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved Jan. 3, 2013. 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.

| 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.[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.

Scajaquada Creek

| {{Coord|42.929091|N|78.899056|W|type:landmark}}

| {{USA}}

| Tributary.

| 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}}
{{USA}}

| 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

| {{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, 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.

| 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".

| 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.

| 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 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

| {{Coord|43.067124|N|79.053959|W|type:landmark}}

| {{CAN}}

|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 Niagara Power Project

| {{Coord|43.07725|N|79.015796|W|type:landmark}}

| {{USA}}

| 100px

Horseshoe Falls

| {{Coord|43.077289|N|79.075127|W|type:landmark}}

| {{CAN}}

| 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).

| 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.

| 100px

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.

| 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.

| 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}}
{{USA}}

|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}}
{{USA}}

| 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).{{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 }}

| 100px

Harvie Falls

| {{Coord|43.12206|N|79.074311|W|type:landmark}}

| {{CAN}}

Devil's Hole Rapids

| {{Coord|43.133547|N|79.050901|W|type:landmark}}

| {{CAN}}
{{USA}}

|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

Niagara Power Project

| {{Coord|43.142957|N|79.039807|W|type:landmark}}

| {{USA}}

|100px

Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Power Stations

| {{Coord|43.147419|N|79.04406|W|type:landmark}}

| {{CAN}}

|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.

|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}}

|100px

Mouth of Niagara River

| {{Coord|43.262722|N|79.070646|W|type:landmark}}

| {{CAN}}
{{USA}}

|100px

Islands

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 \| nowrap \| {{USA}} \| Filled in \| Connected to Unity Island in 1822 as part of improvements to Black Rock harbor.{{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 }}
Brig Island \| Niagara Falls \| {{USA}} \| Park \| Part of Niagara Falls State Park.
Brother Island \| Niagara Falls \| nowrap \| {{USA}} \| Park \| Located near Niagara Falls and the Three Sisters Islands; part of Niagara Falls State Park.
Buckhorn Island \| Grand Island \| nowrap \| {{USA}} \| Park \| Located on the north end of Grand Island. A state park.
Cayuga Island \| Niagara Falls \| {{USA}} \| Residential \| Located at the mouth of Cayuga Creek; a residential neighborhood of the city.
Cedar Island \| 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 \| {{USA}} \| Filled in \| Also known in some sources as "Coroner Island".[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] Filled in sometime in the 1950s or early '60s.[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][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] Currently the site of the Niagara Power Station Intake.
Deer Island \| Niagara Falls \| {{USA}} \| \|
Dufferin Islands \| Niagara Falls \| {{CAN}} \| Park \| Man-made islands. Parkland.
Goat Island \| 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.
Goose Island \| 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 \| \| {{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.
Grass Island \| Niagara Falls \| {{USA}} \| Filled in \| Filled in during the 1960s to create the Robert Moses Parkway at Point Day.
Green Island \| 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 Falls \| {{CAN}} \| Park \| Located near the wreck of the Old Scow in Canadian waters.
Hogg Island \| 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 Hydro Electric Power Commission of Ontario.
Little Beaver Island \| Grand Island \| nowrap \| {{USA}} \| Park \| Located off the south end of Grand Island; part of Beaver Island State Park.
Luna Island \| nowrap \| Niagara Falls \| {{USA}} \| Park \| Located next to Goat Island; originally called Prospect Island. Part of Niagara Falls State Park.
Motor Island \| 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).Island Dispatch, 16th June 1989 A New York State Wildlife Management Area.
Navy Island \| Niagara Falls \| {{CAN}} \| Park \| Designated as a National Historic Park.
Rattlesnake Island \| 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{{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}} and 1927,{{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 }} concurrent with the heavy industrial development of the area.
Robinson Island \| Niagara Falls \| {{USA}} \| Park \| Named for daredevil Joel Robinson in 1860. Now part of Niagara Falls State Park.
Ship Island \| Niagara Falls \| {{USA}} \| Park \| Part of Niagara Falls State Park.
Stony Island \| Niagara Falls \| {{USA}} \| Unknown \| Shown 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 Island \| Town of Tonawanda \| {{USA}} \| Park \| A small island, formerly much larger but diminished by gravel mining and erosion.{{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 }} An undeveloped state park and wildlife preserve.{{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}}
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.http://niagara.nypa.gov/EcologicalStandingCommittee{{dead link\|date=February 2018 \|bot=InternetArchiveBot \|fix-attempted=yes }} Re-created as a habitat for fish, aquatic plants, and waterfowl{{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}}{{Cite web\|url=http://buffalorising.com/2013/10/frog-island-habitat-restoration/\|title = Frog Island Habitat Restoration\|date = October 2013}} including a nesting colony of common terns established in 2021, for whom the new island was named.{{cite web\|author=Sotelo, Gabriella\|date=September 2, 2021\|title=Nesting Common Terns Get a New Island Home in Buffalo\|url=https://www.audubon.org/news/nesting-common-terns-get-new-island-home-buffalo\|publisher=Audubon}}
Three Sisters Islands \| Niagara Falls \| {{USA}} \| 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.
nowrap \| Tonawanda Island \| North Tonawanda \| {{USA}} \| Developed \| Occupied by a marina and several industries.
Tower Island \| 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.{{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}}
Unity Island \| Buffalo \| {{USA}} \| Developed \| Home to Broderick Park, Unity Island Park, and a waste-water treatment facility.
Willow Island \| 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.

class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:1em auto;"

Name

! Location

! Country

! Status

! class="unsortable" | Notes

Bird Island

| Buffalo

| nowrap | {{USA}}

| Filled in

| Connected to Unity Island in 1822 as part of improvements to Black Rock harbor.{{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 }}

Brig Island

| Niagara Falls

| {{USA}}

| Park

| Part of Niagara Falls State Park.

Brother Island

| Niagara Falls

| nowrap | {{USA}}

| Park

| Located near Niagara Falls and the Three Sisters Islands; part of Niagara Falls State Park.

Buckhorn Island

| Grand Island

| nowrap | {{USA}}

| Park

| Located on the north end of Grand Island. A state park.

Cayuga Island

| Niagara Falls

| {{USA}}

| Residential

| Located at the mouth of Cayuga Creek; a residential neighborhood of the city.

Cedar Island

| 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

| {{USA}}

| Filled in

| Also known in some sources as "Coroner Island".[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] Filled in sometime in the 1950s or early '60s.[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][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] Currently the site of the Niagara Power Station Intake.

Deer Island

| Niagara Falls

| {{USA}}

Dufferin Islands

| Niagara Falls

| {{CAN}}

| Park

| Man-made islands. Parkland.

Goat Island

| 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.

Goose Island

| 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

| {{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.

Grass Island

| Niagara Falls

| {{USA}}

| Filled in

| Filled in during the 1960s to create the Robert Moses Parkway at Point Day.

Green Island

| 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 Falls

| {{CAN}}

| Park

| Located near the wreck of the Old Scow in Canadian waters.

Hogg Island

| 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 Hydro Electric Power Commission of Ontario.

Little Beaver Island

| Grand Island

| nowrap | {{USA}}

| Park

| Located off the south end of Grand Island; part of Beaver Island State Park.

Luna Island

| nowrap | Niagara Falls

| {{USA}}

| Park

| Located next to Goat Island; originally called Prospect Island. Part of Niagara Falls State Park.

Motor Island

| 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).Island Dispatch, 16th June 1989 A New York State Wildlife Management Area.

Navy Island

| Niagara Falls

| {{CAN}}

| Park

| Designated as a National Historic Park.

Rattlesnake Island

| 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{{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}} and 1927,{{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 }} concurrent with the heavy industrial development of the area.

Robinson Island

| Niagara Falls

| {{USA}}

| Park

| Named for daredevil Joel Robinson in 1860. Now part of Niagara Falls State Park.

Ship Island

| Niagara Falls

| {{USA}}

| Park

| Part of Niagara Falls State Park.

Stony Island

| Niagara Falls

| {{USA}}

| Unknown

| Shown 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 Island

| Town of Tonawanda

| {{USA}}

| Park

| A small island, formerly much larger but diminished by gravel mining and erosion.{{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 }} An undeveloped state park and wildlife preserve.{{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}}

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.http://niagara.nypa.gov/EcologicalStandingCommittee{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Re-created as a habitat for fish, aquatic plants, and waterfowl{{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}}{{Cite web|url=http://buffalorising.com/2013/10/frog-island-habitat-restoration/|title = Frog Island Habitat Restoration|date = October 2013}} including a nesting colony of common terns established in 2021, for whom the new island was named.{{cite web|author=Sotelo, Gabriella|date=September 2, 2021|title=Nesting Common Terns Get a New Island Home in Buffalo|url=https://www.audubon.org/news/nesting-common-terns-get-new-island-home-buffalo|publisher=Audubon}}

Three Sisters Islands

| Niagara Falls

| {{USA}}

| 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.

nowrap | Tonawanda Island

| North Tonawanda

| {{USA}}

| Developed

| Occupied by a marina and several industries.

Tower Island

| 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.{{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}}

Unity Island

| Buffalo

| {{USA}}

| Developed

| Home to Broderick Park, Unity Island Park, and a waste-water treatment facility.

Willow Island

| 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

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

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}}.

References

{{Reflist

|refs =

{{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}}

}}

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}}

External links

[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.