Niagara River

The Niagara River 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. It is about 58 kilometres (36 miles) long and includes the famous Niagara Falls. Over thousands of years, the falls have moved upstream, creating a deep gorge below them.

Today, the river helps make electricity with power plants on both the Canadian and American sides. Ships travelling on the Great Lakes use the Welland Canal to bypass the falls and continue their journey. The river also has several islands, with Grand Island and Navy Island being the largest. Other smaller islands, like Goat Island and Luna Island, split the falls into three sections. The river and its tributaries have been important for transportation, helping boats move safely between lakes and rivers.

History

The Niagara River and Falls became known outside of North America in the late 1600s when French explorer Father Louis Hennepin first saw them. He wrote about his travels in a book called A New Discovery of a Vast Country in America in 1698.

The Niagara River was the location of the first recorded railway in America. In 1764, British engineer John Montresor built an inclined wooden tramway called "The Cradles" or "The Old Lewiston Incline." It used loaded carts pulled up wooden rails by rope to help move goods over the Niagara Escarpment in present-day Lewiston, New York.

Several important battles happened along the Niagara River. The river was defended by Fort George on the Canadian side and Fort Niagara on the American side, as well as Fort Erie on the Canadian side. These forts played key roles during the Seven Years' War, also called the French and Indian War in the United States, and the American Revolutionary War. The Battle of Queenston Heights occurred near the river during the War of 1812.

Before the American Civil War, the river was an important route to freedom for many African Americans escaping slavery via the Underground Railroad. The Freedom Crossing Monument in Lewiston remembers the bravery of those who escaped and the local volunteers who helped them cross the river secretly.

In the 1880s, the Niagara River became the first waterway in the world used for large-scale generation of hydroelectricity.

On the Canadian side, the Niagara Parks Commission takes care of the shoreline, including Fort Erie, except for Fort George, which is a National Historic Site maintained by Parks Canada.

On the American side, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation manages several state parks near Niagara Falls and the Niagara River.

Cities and settlements

Cities and towns along the Niagara River include:

Pollution

The Niagara River is listed as a special area that needs attention in an agreement about water quality between the United States and Canada. This means that people are working together to help keep the river clean and healthy.

Crossings

Main article: List of crossings of the Niagara River

The Niagara River has many bridges for roads and trains that cross it, both above and below the Falls. Some of these bridges have been damaged by the tough conditions of the Niagara Gorge, like landslides and big chunks of ice.

Parks

The following parks are located along the Niagara River:

A Niagara River Greenway Plan is being created in the United States.

Hydrologic features

Discharge

The Niagara River flows through Buffalo.

Islands

The Niagara River has several islands along its upper part, before reaching the famous falls.

Military posts

The 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 in 1953, 1965, and 1923, and are now parks.

Navy Island Royal Naval Shipyard was used by the French Navy in the 18th century and later by the Royal Navy from 1763 until it was abandoned around 1818 after the Rush–Bagot Treaty in 1817.

Roads

On the Canadian side, the Niagara Parkway runs along the river from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie.

On the U.S. side, NY 18F follows the river from Fort Niagara to Lewiston. The Niagara Scenic Parkway only runs from the Falls to Lewiston. Other roads covering the rest of the river include the LaSalle Expressway, NY 384, NY 266, and I-190 (Niagara Thruway) / New York Thruway.