Niagara River

The Niagara River, 55 km long, issues from Lake ERIE and flows north over NIAGARA FALLS to Lake ONTARIO. The name is of native origin and describes either the river, "on or at the neck," where it is the neck between Lakes Erie and Ontario, or the falls, "thunder of the waters."

The upper section is navigable for small pleasure craft to a series of rapids above the falls, and in fact the first ship built on the Great Lakes, LA SALLE's GRIFFON, was built here. The lower section of the river is navigable for all craft as far upstream as QUEENSTON and Lewiston. Below the falls the river flows through a spectacular gorge and is extremely deep, apart from two vigorous rapids. Its average flow at Queenston is 5750 m³/s - greater than the Fraser, Columbia or Nelson rivers. Its steady high flow is its unique characteristic.

The Niagara River is crossed by several bridges, notably the Peace (1927) at FORT ERIE and the Rainbow (1941), which connects the cities of NIAGARA FALLS, Ont, and Niagara Falls, NY, and the Queenston (1962) at the north end of the gorge.

Niagara Historic Frontier

The importance of the river for the FUR TRADE and as a route into the interior was recognized by the French who built FORT NIAGARA at its mouth in 1678. The British gained control in 1759 and the fort was a major supply depot during the AMERICAN REVOLUTION. Two consequences of the Revolutionary War were that in 1783 the river became part of the boundary between British and American territory, and NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE and Fort Erie were settled by fleeing LOYALISTS. The river was crossed by forces on both sides during the WAR OF 1812. Today, the NIAGARA HISTORIC FRONTIER has numerous historic sites.

Author JAMES MARSH Rev: KEITH TINKLER

Suggested Reading
John N. Jackson, The Mighty Niagara: One River, Two Frontiers (2003).

Links to Other Sites
Niagara Parks
Check out the seasonal attractions and events offered throughout the Niagara River corridor from Fort Erie to Niagara-on-the-Lake. From the Niagara Parks Commission.

The Underground Railroad
Follow the flight to freedom along the Underground Railroad to Canada. This Canada’s Digital Collections web site focuses on St. Catharines and other locations in the Niagara Region. Also profiles noteworthy individuals such as Harriet Tubman. Wind your way through mazes and other fun games.

A Century of Sail and Steam on the Niagara River
Explore 400 years of sailing history in the Niagara River and Lake Ontario region. Peruse original illustrations and rare photographs and the full text of this 1913 publication. From the “Maritime History of the Great Lakes” website.