In approximately 12,300 years the Niagara River has eroded a gorge 7.2 miles (11.6 km) in length. Starting between the villages of Lewiston, NY and Queenston, Ontario the Niagara Gorge extends southwards to the cities of Niagara Falls, NY and Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Locust Grove Falls is located on the Canadian side of the gorge about 1.1 km (0.7 mile) south of Queenston. From its 3 m (10 foot) wide crest the creek first free falls 6 m (21 feet) and then continues in a steep decent to the river below. The falls has a total vertical drop of 64 m (210 feet). The natural volume of the creek was greatly diminished by the construction of the 300 hectare (750 acre) storage reservoir for the Sir Adam Beck Power Plants.
Fish Creek Falls is located on the American side of the gorge about 0.5 mile (0.8 km) south of Lewiston. In 1962 construction of the Robert Moses Parkway channeled the creek into a 1,300 foot (396 m) long culvert that exits at a spillway on the south side of Earl W. Brydges Artpark State Park. The original course of the creek was first changed by the construction of a railroad in early 1900's. The creek was channeled a little to the north of its original location and then spilled down the side of the ravine it had eroded in the Niagara Gorge wall. The drop from this crest to the river below is 320 feet (98 m). The natural volume of the creek was greatly diminished by the construction of the 1,900 acre (760 ha) storage reservoir for the Robert Moses Power Plant in the late 1950's.
Spring Cave Cascade is located on the American side of the gorge about 0.8 mile (1.3 km) south of Lewiston. A stream exiting Spring Cave cascades 150 feet (46 m) down the gorge wall, flows into a pipe passing under an old railroad bed, and descends another 130 feet (40 m) to the Niagara River.
Smeaton Falls is located on the Canadian side of the gorge about 2 km (1.3 miles) south of Queenston. Just north of the Sir Adam Beck Power Plants and across the road from the Floral Clock, a creek has eroded back about 152 m (500 feet) from the edge of the Niagara Gorge to form Smeaton Ravine. Called a "Secret Fairyland" in a 1935 newspaper article by Albert H. Tiplin, the ravine contains two waterfalls and series of rapids. The first falls has a drop of about 27m (87 feet). It was followed by a series of rapids and a 12 m (40 foot) falls and more rapids all the way to the Niagara River. The creek has a total drop of 88 m (290 feet). Today, even in especially wet weather, only a little water dribbles down the ravine. The drainage area of the creek was destroyed by the construction of the Sir Adam Beck Power Plants and storage reservoir.
Bloody Run Falls is located on the American side of the gorge about 1.7 mile (2.7 km) south of Lewiston in Devil's Hole State Park. The creek is named after a massacre of about 90 civilians and British soldiers by a party of Seneca Indians in 1763. The creek is said to of run red with their blood.
Harvie Fall was located on the Canadian side of the gorge about 6.6 km (4.1 miles) south of Queenston. Found in the upper reaches of Bowman Creek Ravine this waterfall was described in an 1880's guide book to Niagara Falls as "a sublime little waterfall that is not to be missed by the traveler." Apparently the falls was destroyed by the construction of hydro canals for the Sir Adam Beck Power Plants.
Colt's Creek Falls is located on the Canadian side of the gorge about 5.1 km (3.2 miles) north of Niagara Falls. Today the source of the water for Colt's Creek is hard to determine. The hydro canal for the Sir Adam Beck Power Plants has reduced the area that the creek once drained. I have been told that the water is now mostly excess cooling water from nearby manufacturing plants. The creek exits a 1 m (3 foot) wide culvert, narrows to 0.6 m (2 feet) in width and then free falls 15 m (50 feet). It then descends a section of steep rapids, free falls 8 m (25 feet) and becomes a very steep cascade. The cascade is followed by another section of steep rapids followed by a free fall of 6 m (20 feet) to the Whirlpool. The total drop of Colt's Creek Falls is 75 m (246 feet).
Muddy Run Falls is located on the Canadian side of the gorge about 6.7 km (2.4 miles) north of Niagara Falls, Ontario. Apparently during the construction of area roads and parking lots the creek bed was filled in as no trace can be seen of it today. Muddy Run Falls had a total drop of approximately 76 m (250 feet).
They are known collectively as Niagara Falls. The American Falls is located on the American side of the gorge at Niagara Falls, NY. Click here for more information on the American Falls. Click here to see a photo of the American Falls. Bridal Veil Falls The Bridal Veil Falls is located on the American side of the gorge at Niagara Falls, NY. Click here for more information on the Bridal Veil Falls. Click here to see a photo of the Bridal Veil Falls. Horseshoe Falls The Horseshoe Falls is located at the southern end of the gorge at Niagara Falls, Ontario. Click here for more information on the Horseshoe Falls. Click here to see a photo of the Horseshoe Falls. This information may not be reproduced without written permission. You can send me e-mail at: falzguy@verizon.net Return to Home Page of WNYWS This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page. |