About Niagara Falls

HISTORY OF NIAGARA FALLS

Formation of the Falls

Although the Falls at Niagara are about 12,000 years old, the story of their formation can be traced back hundreds of millions of years into the past. (read more)

The Great Lakes System

The Niagara River isn’t really a “river” in the strictest sense of the word. It is actually a strait – a relatively narrow body of water that connects two larger bodies (Lake Erie and Lake Ontario). (read more)

A Brief History

While it is not certain how long there have been people living in the Niagara area, estimates usually range between 5000 and 8000 years. Little is known about the earliest inhabitants of the region, but later residents have left a rich and exciting history. (read more)

The Maid of Mist

This is a version of a story that is told by the people of the Six Nations. The “standard” Maid of the Mist story that is commonly told in Niagara today is not actually a Native American story at all. (read more)

The Niagara Reservation - A Historical Perspective

Spurred on by that rallying cry, a fiercely dedicated group of 19th century Americans freed Niagara Falls from the clutches of vulgar commercialism, and returned it to a natural state. (read more)

The Niagara Reservation - Today

More than one hundred years after the formation of the Niagara Reservation, the influence of Frederick Law Olmsted continue to be felt. (read more)

NIAGARA FALLS FACTS

American Falls

Height 180 ft (56 m)

Width 1060 ft (320 m)

Volume of flow 10% of total

Horseshoe Falls

Height 170 ft (54m) Width 2200 ft (675m)

Volume of flow 90% of total

Total Flow Over Niagara Falls

April 1 - Sept 15:

100,000 cu ft/sec (2830 cu m/sec) (8am-10pm)

Sept. 16 - Oct. 31:

100,000 cu ft/sec (2830 cu m/sec) (8am-8pm)

All other times:

50,000 cu ft/sec (1415 cu m/sec)

Total Average Flow of Niagara River:

202,000 cu ft/sec (5720 cu m/sec)
(before diversion for electricity)

Questions and Answers

Q: Where and when can I view the Falls?

A: Niagara Falls State Park is open year round for viewing the Falls. The park is open daily 7am - midnight all year long.

Q: Does the Niagara Falls State Park at the Falls close for the winter?

A: No, the park is open all year round.

Q: Do the Falls freeze in the winter?

A: No, the water flows continually year round.

FACT: The flow of water actually stopped completely for a few hours over two of the falls on March 29, 1848 because of an ice jam in the upper river. The Falls did not actually freeze over, but the flow was stopped sufficiently to allow people to walk out and recovered artifacts from the riverbed.

Maid of the Mist facts: Closes in late October. Call them for the exact date. (716) 284-8897. Opens mid May depending on the ice conditions. There is no age restriction for riding the Maid of the Mist.The ride is 30 minutes long. The boat does run in the rain. In the event of a lightning storm, the rides stop until the weather clears. The Maid of the Mist is handicap accessible.

See more Frequently Asked Questions