View source for Niagara River

{{short description|River in New York, United States and Ontario, Canada}}
{{distinguish|Nagara River}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2025}}
{{Infobox river
| name                 = Niagara River
| name_native          = 
| name_native_lang     = 
| name_other           = 
| name_etymology       = 
| nickname             = 
| image                = Whirlpool Bridge (2936545446).jpg
| image_size           = 
| image_caption        = The Niagara River at [[Niagara Gorge]] in May 2008
| image_alt            = 
| map                  = 
| map_size             = 
| map_caption          = 
| map_alt              = 
| pushpin_map          = North America#Canada Southern Ontario#USA New York
| pushpin_map_size     = 
| pushpin_map_caption  = 
| pushpin_map_alt      = 
| subdivision_type1    = Countries
| subdivision_name1    = {{hlist|[[Canada]]|[[United States]]}}
| subdivision_type2    = Province / State
| subdivision_name2    = {{hlist|[[Ontario]]|[[New York (state)|New York]]}}
| subdivision_type3    = 
| subdivision_name3    = 
| subdivision_type4    = 
| subdivision_name4    = 
| subdivision_type5    = 
| subdivision_name5    = 
| length               = {{cvt|58|km}}<ref name=factsfigs>{{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}}</ref>
| width_min            = 
| width_avg            = 
| width_max            = 
| depth_min            = 
| depth_avg            = 
| depth_max            = 
| discharge1_location  = 
| discharge1_min       = 
| discharge1_avg       = {{cvt|5,796|m3/s|cuft/s}}<ref>[https://pubs.usgs.gov/wdr/wdr-ny-03-3/ Water Resources Data New York Water Year 2003, Volume 3: Western New York] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413215246/https://pubs.usgs.gov/wdr/wdr-ny-03-3/ |date=April 13, 2017 }}, [[United States Geological Survey|USGS]]</ref>
| discharge1_max       = 
| source1              = [[Lake Erie]]
| source1_location     = 
| source1_coordinates  = {{Coord|42|53|3|N|78|54|51|W}}
| source1_elevation    = {{cvt|173.43|m|ft|0}}<ref>Inferred from [[Lake Erie]]. Retrieved January 30, 2021.</ref>
| mouth                = [[Lake Ontario]]
| mouth_location       = 
| mouth_coordinates    = {{Wikidatacoord|Q182343|type:river|display=inline,title}}
| mouth_elevation      = {{cvt|74.1|m|ft|0}}<ref>Inferred from [[Lake Ontario]]. Retrieved January 30, 2021.</ref>
| progression          = {{PLake Ontario}}
| river_system         = 
| basin_size           = {{cvt|684000|km2}}<ref name=factsfigs/>
| basin_landmarks      = 
| basin_population     = 
| tributaries_left     = [[Welland River]]
| tributaries_right    = [[Tonawanda Creek]]
| waterbodies          = 
| waterfalls           = 
| bridges              = 
| ports                = 
| custom_label         = 
| custom_data          = 
| extra                = {{Designation list
 |embed                = yes
 |designation1         = Ramsar
 |designation1_offname = Niagara River Corridor
 |designation1_date    = October 3, 2019
 |designation1_number  = 2402<ref>{{Cite web |title=Niagara River Corridor |website=[[Ramsar Convention|Ramsar]] Sites Information Service |url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/2402 |access-date=January 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114055906/https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/2402 |archive-date=January 14, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
 }}
{{Routemap
| title = Niagara River
| collapsible = yes
| map = -startCollapsible-collapsed
WFILL\WFILL\~~[[Lake Ontario]]
uSTR\
uSTR\
uSTR\
uWWSEL!~lCSTR\~~[[Niagara Escarpment]]
CWSTR!~RP4oq\~~{{Jctrdt|state=NY|I|190|ON|405}} / [[Queenston-Lewiston Bridge]] 
uexRESVGr\CWSTR!~WABZgr\\~~[[Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Generating Stations]]
CWSTR!~WABZgl\uexRESVGl~~[[Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant]]
CWSTR\~~Devil's Hole Rapids
CWSTR!~lWHST\~~[[Niagara Whirlpool]]
CWSTR\~~Whirlpool Rapids
CWSTR!~uhSTRaeq\~~[[Whirlpool Rapids Bridge]]
CWSTR!~exhSTRaeq\~~[[Michigan Central Railway Bridge]]
CWSTR\~~[[Niagara Gorge]]
CWSTR!~RP4oq\~~{{Jctrdt|state=NY|NY|384|ON|420}} / [[Rainbow Bridge (Niagara Falls)|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
uSPLae\\uSKRZ-G4u\~~{{Jctrdt|state=NY|I|190|NY|324}} / [[North Grand Island Bridge]]
uSTR\\uexKRWl!~uSPLae\uexCONTgeq~~Cayuga Creek
uSTR\\uSTR\~~[[Grand Island, NY]]
uSTR\\uSPLae!~uKRWl\uCONTfq~~[[Tonawanda Creek]] / [[Erie Canal]]
uSTR\\uSKRZ-G4u\~~{{Jctrdt|state=NY|I|190|NY|324}} / [[South Grand Island Bridge]]
uSTRl\uABZ+lr\uSTRr\
uSPLae\~~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|thumb|upright|Satellite image of Niagara River flowing north from Lake Erie (bottom) to Lake Ontario (top).  The river flows around Grand Island, and then flows over Niagara Falls.  It narrows in the [[Niagara Gorge]], 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|thumb|[[American Falls]] with [[Goat Island (New York)|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 (state)|New York]], [[United States]], to the east. The origin of the river's name is debated. [[Iroquoian peoples|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.<ref>Bruce Trigger, ''The Children of Aataentsic'' (McGill-Queen's University Press, Kingston and Montreal,1987, {{ISBN|0-7735-0626-8}}), p. 95.</ref> [[George R. Stewart]] posits that it comes from an Iroquois town named ''Ongniaahra'', meaning "point of land cut in two."<ref>[[George R. Stewart|Stewart, George R.]] (1967) ''Names on the Land.'' Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company; p. 83.</ref>

The river, occasionally described as a [[strait]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/resbot/Niag/LakeLevels/isostatic.htm |title=Mobot.org |access-date=February 10, 2006 |archive-date=June 23, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060623050943/http://www.mobot.org/plantscience/resbot/Niag/LakeLevels/isostatic.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> is approximately {{convert|58|km}} long and includes the [[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 [[Canyon|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 [[Streamflow|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, New York|Grand Island]] and [[Navy Island]], the two largest, are on the American and Canadian sides, respectively. [[Goat Island (New York)|Goat Island]] and the small [[Luna Island]] divide Niagara Falls into three sections: [[Horseshoe Falls]], [[Bridal Veil Falls (Niagara Falls)|Bridal Veil Falls]], and [[American Falls]]. [[Unity Island]] lies further upstream, adjacent to the city of [[Buffalo, New York|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, New York|Lockport]], the Erie Canal heads southwest into [[Tonawanda Creek]]. Upon entering the Niagara River, [[watercraft]] proceed south to the final [[Lock (water navigation)|lock]], where a short canal section allows boats to bypass [[Turbulence|turbulent]] [[Shoal|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|alt=The Niagara River and trees are depicted in the painting.|thumb|upright|Watercolour by [[Elizabeth Simcoe]] depicting the Niagara River from Queenston Heights, {{circa|1793}}]]
[[Image:Edward Walsh - Queenstown, Upper Canada on the Niagara (a.k.a. Queenston, Ontario).jpg|thumb|Niagara River at [[Queenston, Ontario]], 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 [[Louis Hennepin|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).<ref>Hennepin, Louis.  [http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/search.asp?id=374 ''A New Discovery of a Vast Country in America''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160907094540/http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/search.asp?id=374 |date=September 7, 2016 }}.  Chicago: A.C. McClurg & Co., 1903.  Accessed December 8, 2008.</ref>

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]].<ref name=Porter>{{cite book |last=Porter |first=Peter |title=Landmarks of the Niagara Frontier |publisher=The Author |year=1914}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Niagara Purchase {{!}} The Canadian Encyclopedia |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/niagara-purchase |access-date=October 13, 2021 |website=www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca |archive-date=October 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211012010131/https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/niagara-purchase |url-status=live }}</ref>

Several battles occurred along the Niagara River, which was historically defended by [[Fort George, Ontario|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]].<ref>[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=January 24, 2009 }}. University at Buffalo, June 2004.  Accessed December 8, 2008.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Niagara Falls History |url=https://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/niagara-falls-state-park/history |access-date=October 24, 2023 |archive-date=October 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010021225/https://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/niagara-falls-state-park/history |url-status=live }}</ref>

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 Sites of Canada|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 park]]s 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|thumb|[[Whirlpool Aero Car]] crossing [[Niagara Whirlpool]]]]

Cities and towns along the Niagara River include:
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:1em auto;"
|-
! Name !! Country
|-
| [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]] || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
| [[Chippawa, Ontario|Chippawa]] || {{Flagu|Canada}}
|-
| [[Fort Erie, Ontario|Fort Erie]] || {{Flagu|Canada}}
|-
| [[Lewiston, New York|Lewiston]] || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
| [[Grand Island, New York|Grand Island]] || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]] || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
| [[Niagara Falls, Ontario|Niagara Falls]] || {{Flagu|Canada}}
|-
| [[Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario|Niagara-on-the-Lake]] || {{Flagu|Canada}}
|-
| [[North Tonawanda, New York|North Tonawanda]] || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
| [[Porter, New York|Porter]] || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
| [[Queenston, Ontario|Queenston]] || {{Flagu|Canada}}
|-
| [[City of Tonawanda|Tonawanda (City)]] || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
| [[Tonawanda (town), New York|Tonawanda (Town)]] || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
| [[Wheatfield, New York|Wheatfield]] || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
| [[Youngstown, New York|Youngstown]] || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
|}

==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==
{{main|List of crossings of the Niagara River}}
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|thumb|upright|Niagara Glen features many rapids downstream of Niagara Falls]]

The following parks are located along the Niagara River:
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:1em auto;"
! Name !! Country
|-
| [[Beaver Island State Park]]  || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
|  Bowen Road Park  || {{Flagu|Canada}}
|-
|  Browns Point Park  || {{Flagu|Canada}}
|-
| [[Buckhorn Island State Park]]  || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
| [[De Veaux Woods State Park]]  || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
| [[Dufferin Islands|Dufferin Islands Natural Area]]  || {{Flagu|Canada}}
|-
| [[Earl W. Brydges Artpark State Park]]  || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
|  Falkner Park  || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
|  Fisherman's Park  || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
|  Floral Clock Park  || {{Flagu|Canada}}
|-
|  Fort George National Historic Site  || {{Flagu|Canada}}
|-
| [[Fort Niagara State Park]]  || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
| [[Freedom Park (Buffalo, New York)|Freedom Park]]  || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
|  Gratwick Riverside Park  || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
|  Griffon Park  || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
|  Jayne Park  || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
| [[Joseph Davis State Park]]  || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
|  King's Bridge Park  || {{Flagu|Canada}}
|-
|  MacFarland Park  || {{Flagu|Canada}}
|-
| [[Niagara Falls State Park]]  || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
| [[Niagara Glen Nature Reserve]]  || {{Flagu|Canada}}
|-
|  Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens  || {{Flagu|Canada}}
|-
|  Niawanda Park<ref>{{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}}</ref>  || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
|  Nike Base Park  || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
|  Queen's Parade Park & Memorial Park  || {{Flagu|Canada}}
|-
| [[Queenston Heights]]  || {{Flagu|Canada}}
|-
| [[Riverside Park (Buffalo, New York)|Riverside Park]]  || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
| [[Strawberry Island State Park]]  || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
|  Sugar Bowl Park  || {{Flagu|Canada}}
|-
|  Veterans Memorial Park  || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
| [[Queen Victoria Park]]  || {{Flagu|Canada}}
|-
| [[Whirlpool State Park]]  || {{Flagu|United States}}
|-
|}
A [[Niagara River Greenway Plan]] is in progress in the United States.

==Hydrologic features==
{{GeoGroup|section=Hydrologic features}}
{{Clear}}
{| 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|42.8842|N|78.9142|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|Canada}}<br/>{{Flagu|United States}}
| The Niagara River originates at the north-east end of [[Lake Erie]], and flows north to its mouth at [[Lake Ontario]].
| [[File:Peace Bridge.jpg|100px]]
|-
| Black Rock Canal
| {{Coord|42.907|N|78.9021|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| 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.<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/68215/Black-Rock-Canal "Black Rock Canal"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029190734/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/68215/Black-Rock-Canal |date=October 29, 2013 }}. ''Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online''.  Retrieved January 3, 2013.</ref> 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.
| [[File:Black Rock Canal Niagara.jpg|100px]]
|-
| Gould Ditch
| {{Coord|42.9207|N|78.9118|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|Canada}}
| Historic tributary. Once served as a drainage ditch for Gould National Battery plant.<ref>[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.</ref>
| 
|-
| [[Scajaquada Creek]]
| {{Coord|42.9291|N|78.8991|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| Tributary.
| [[File:Scajaquada Creek within Forest Lawn Cemetery.jpg|100px]]
|-
| Frenchman's Creek
| {{Coord|42.9426|N|78.9274|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|Canada}}
| Tributary.
|
|-
| Chippawa Channel
| {{Coord|42.9533|N|78.9376|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|Canada}}<br/>{{Flagu|United States}}
| The north-flowing Niagara River bifurcates at the south tip of [[Grand Island, New York|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|42.9553|N|78.9754|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|Canada}}
| Tributary.
|
|-
| Tonawanda Channel
| {{Coord|42.9608|N|78.9294|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| 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 (city), New York|Tonawanda, New York]]—is the "Tonawanda Channel".
|
|-
| Baker Creek
| {{Coord|42.9728|N|79.0080|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|Canada}}
| Tributary.
|
|-
| Black Creek
| {{Coord|42.9810|N|79.0235|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|Canada}}
| Tributary.
|
|-
| Boyer's Creek
| {{Coord|43.0020|N|79.0295|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|Canada}}
| Tributary.
|
|-
| Two Mile Creek
| {{Coord|43.0108|N|78.9066|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| Tributary.
|
|-
| Little River (at Tonawanda Island)
| {{Coord|43.0229|N|78.8850|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| Flows between Tonawanda Island and the New York mainland, within the Tonawanda Channel.
|
|-
| [[Tonawanda Creek]]
| {{Coord|43.0233|N|78.8817|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| Tributary.
| [[File:Tonawanda mill dam 8928.jpg|100px]]
|-
| Spicer Creek
| {{Coord|43.0253|N|78.8942|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| Tributary on Grand Island, New York.
|
|-
| Big Sixmile Creek
| {{Coord|43.0265|N|79.0118|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| Tributary on Grand Island, New York.
|
|-
| Little Sixmile Creek
| {{Coord|43.0285|N|79.0102|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| Tributary on Grand Island, New York.
| 
|-
| Niagara River Channel
| {{Coord|43.0358|N|78.8938|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| 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".
| [[File:Niagara River.jpg|100px]]
|-
| Gun Creek
| {{Coord|43.0495|N|78.9157|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| Tributary on Grand Island, New York.
| 
|-
| Usshers Creek
| {{Coord|43.0513|N|79.0225|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|Canada}}
| Tributary.
| 
|-
| Burnt Ship Creek
| {{Coord|43.0610|N|78.9975|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| Tributary on Grand Island, New York.
|
|-
| Woods Creek
| {{Coord|43.0623|N|78.9770|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| Tributary on Grand Island, New York.
| [[File:Woods Creek - Grand Island, New York.jpg|100px]]
|-
| [[Welland River]]
| {{Coord|43.0627|N|79.0480|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|Canada}}
| Historic tributary. Became a man-made distributary—from the Niagara River to a point 5&nbsp;km west—in order to supply water to an intake channel for [[Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Power Stations]].
|
|-
| [[Niagara Tunnel Project|Underwater intake tunnel to Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Power Stations]]
| {{Coord|43.0671|N|79.0540|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|Canada}}
| 
|[[File:Niagara-Tunnel-Project.gif|100px]]
|-
| Little River (at Cayuga Island)
| {{Coord|43.0732|N|78.9517|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| Flows between Cayuga Island and the New York mainland, within the Niagara River Channel.
| 
|-
| Cayuga Creek
| {{Coord|43.0759|N|78.9628|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| Tributary.
|
|-
| Underwater intake for tunnel to [[Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant|Niagara Power Project]]
| {{Coord|43.0772|N|79.0158|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|United States}}
|
| [[File:Upriver from Niagara Falls.jpg|100px]]
|-
| [[Horseshoe Falls]]
| {{Coord|43.0773|N|79.0751|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|Canada}}
| Located between the Canadian mainland and [[Goat Island (New York)|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]]).
| [[File:Horseshoe Falls 2006.jpg|100px]]
|-
| Gill Creek
| {{Coord|43.0783|N|79.0258|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| Tributary.
|
|-
| Goat Island Channel
| {{Coord|43.0806|N|79.0605|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| The Niagara River bifurcates at the south-east tip of Goat Island. "Goat Island Channel" is the north-east passage around the island.
| [[File:Green Island & Goat Island pedestrian bridge 2008.jpg|100px]]
|-
| [[Bridal Veil Falls (Niagara Falls)|Bridal Veil Falls]]
| {{Coord|43.0838|N|79.0708|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| 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.
| [[File:Bridal Veil Falls below.png|100px]]
|-
| [[American Falls]]
| {{Coord|43.0849|N|79.0695|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| 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.
| [[File:DSCN4390 americanfalls e.jpg|100px]]
|-
| Muddy Run Falls
| {{Coord|43.1150|N|79.0625|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|Canada}}
| 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|43.1160|N|79.0625|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|Canada}}<br/>{{Flagu|United States}}
| 
|[[File:Whirlpool Rapids Bridge 2.jpg|100px]]
|-
| Colt's Creek Falls
| {{Coord|43.1198|N|79.0720|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|Canada}}
| 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|43.1202|N|79.0695|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|Canada}}<br/>{{Flagu|United States}}
| The [[Niagara Whirlpool]] is a [[natural]] [[whirlpool]] along the '''Niagara River''' located along the [[Canada–United States border|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).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nyfalls.com/niagara/niagara-whirlpool.html |title=Whirlpool State Park - Niagara Falls, New York |publisher=Nyfalls.com |date=September 13, 1935 |access-date=August 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823205227/http://www.nyfalls.com/niagara/niagara-whirlpool.html |archive-date=August 23, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| [[File:Niagara Whirlpool Spanish Aero Car.jpg|100px]]
|-
| Harvie Falls
| {{Coord|43.1220|N|79.0743|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|Canada}}
| 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.
|
|-
| Devil's Hole Rapids
| {{Coord|43.1335|N|79.0509|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|Canada}}<br/>{{Flagu|United States}}
| 
|[[File:Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours in Devil's Hole Rapids in Niagara River Gorge.jpg|100px]]
|-
| Bloody Run Falls
| {{Coord|43.1350|N|79.0473|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| 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|Log Cabin, Bloody Run, Niagara, N.Y, from Robert N. Dennis collection of stereoscopic views|100px]]
|-
| [[Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant|Niagara Power Project]]
| {{Coord|43.1430|N|79.0398|W|type:landmark}}
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| 
|[[File:Robert moses secondary efflorescence 1.jpg|100px]]
|-
| [[Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Power Stations]]
| {{Coord|43.1474|N|79.044|W|type:landmark}}
| {{Flagu|Canada}}
| 
|[[File:Adam Beck Complex.jpg|100px]]
|-
| Smeaton Falls
| {{Coord|43.1563|N|79.046|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|Canada}}
| 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.
|[[File:Smeaton Falls.jpg|100px]]
|-
| Spring Cave Cascade
| {{Coord|43.1573|N|79.0444|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| 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|43.1590|N|79.0446|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| 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|43.1592|N|79.0475|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|Canada}}
| 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.
|[[File:Locust Grove Falls.jpg|100px]]
|-
| Mouth of Niagara River
| {{Coord|43.2625|N|79.0700|W|type:river}}
| {{Flagu|Canada}}<br/>{{Flagu|United States}}
|
|[[File:Niagara river mouth.JPG|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, New York|Buffalo]]
| nowrap | {{Flagu|United States}}
| Filled in
| Connected to Unity Island in 1822 as part of improvements to Black Rock harbor.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
|-
| Brig Island
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| Park
| Part of Niagara Falls State Park.
|-
| [[Brother Island, Niagara River|Brother Island]]
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| nowrap | {{Flagu|United States}}
| Park
| Located near Niagara Falls and the Three Sisters Islands; part of Niagara Falls State Park.
|-
| [[Buckhorn Island State Park|Buckhorn Island]]
| [[Grand Island, New York|Grand Island]]
| nowrap | {{Flagu|United States}}
| Park
| Located on the north end of Grand Island. A state park.
|-
| [[Cayuga Island]]
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| Residential
| Located at the mouth of Cayuga Creek; a residential neighborhood of the city.
|-
| [[Cedar Island (Niagara River)|Cedar Island]]
| [[Niagara Falls, Ontario|Niagara Falls]]
| {{Flagu|Canada}}
| Filled in
| Filled in by the creation of the [[Rankine Generating Station]] by Canadian Niagara Power Company in 1905.
|-
| Conners Island
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| Filled in
| Also known in some sources as "Coroner Island".<ref name="ngmdb.usgs.gov">[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]</ref> Filled in sometime in the 1950s or early '60s.<ref>[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]</ref><ref>[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]</ref> Currently the site of the Niagara Power Station Intake.<ref name="Linnabery"/>
|-
| Deer Island
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| {{Flagu|United States}}
|
|
|-
| [[Dufferin Islands]]
| [[Niagara Falls, Ontario|Niagara Falls]]
| {{Flagu|Canada}}
| Park
| Man-made islands. Parkland.
|-
| [[Goat Island (New York)|Goat Island]]
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| 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.
|-
| [[Tonawanda, New York#Goose Island|Goose Island]]
| [[Tonawanda (city), New York|City of Tonawanda]]
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| 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, New York|Grand Island]]
|
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| 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 people|Seneca]].
|-
| Grass Island
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| Filled in
| Filled in during the 1960s to create the [[Robert Moses Parkway]] at Point Day.
|-
| Green Island
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| 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 River)|Gull Island]]
| [[Niagara Falls, Ontario|Niagara Falls]]
| {{Flagu|Canada}}
| Park
| Located near the wreck of the Old Scow in Canadian waters.
|-
| Hogg Island
| [[Niagara Falls, Ontario|Niagara Falls]]
| {{Flagu|Canada}}
| 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 [[Ontario Hydro|Hydro Electric Power Commission of Ontario]].
|-
| [[Beaver Island State Park|Little Beaver Island]]
| [[Grand Island, New York|Grand Island]]
| nowrap | {{Flagu|United States}}
| Park
| Located off the south end of Grand Island; part of Beaver Island State Park.
|-
| [[Luna Island]]
| nowrap | [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| Park
| Located next to Goat Island; originally called Prospect Island. Part of Niagara Falls State Park.
|-
| Motor Island
| [[Grand Island, New York|Grand Island]]
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| 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).<ref>''Island Dispatch'', June 16, 1989</ref> A [[New York State Wildlife Management Area]].
|-
| [[Navy Island]]
| [[Niagara Falls, Ontario|Niagara Falls]]
| {{Flagu|Canada}}
| Park
| Designated as a National Historic Park.
|-
| Rattlesnake Island
| [[Tonawanda (town), New York|Town of Tonawanda]]
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| Filled in
| Was located just south of what is today the South Grand Island Bridge. Was filled in sometime between 1915<ref>{{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 |access-date=June 10, 2012 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042814/http://www.historicmapworks.com/Map/US/38766/Tonawanda+Town+8++Riverside+Land+Company/Buffalo+1915+Vol+3+Suburban/New+York/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and 1927,<ref>{{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}}</ref> concurrent with the heavy industrial development of the area.
|-
| Robinson Island
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| Park
| Named for daredevil Joel Robinson in 1860. Now part of Niagara Falls State Park.
|-
| Ship Island
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| Park
| Part of Niagara Falls State Park.
|-
| Stony Island
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| Unknown
| Shown in the 1908 ''New Century Atlas of Niagara and Orleans County'' but not mentioned in any other source.<ref name="Linnabery"/> Supposedly located just offshore from the mouth of Gill Creek.<ref name="ngmdb.usgs.gov"/> No longer extant, if it ever was.
|-
| [[Strawberry Island (New York)|Strawberry Island]]
| [[Tonawanda (town), New York|Town of Tonawanda]]
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| Park
| A small island, formerly much larger but diminished by gravel mining and erosion.<ref name=F&W_HabAssess>{{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}}</ref> An undeveloped state park and wildlife preserve.<ref name=NFP_StrwIs_Restore>{{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 |archive-date=March 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309125442/https://www.wnypapers.com/news/article/current/2015/03/30/120191/grand-island-nypa-approves-contract-for-strawberry-island-wetland-restoration-habitat-improvement |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| Tern Island
| 
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| 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.<ref>http://niagara.nypa.gov/EcologicalStandingCommittee{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Re-created as a habitat for fish, aquatic plants, and waterfowl<ref name="BN_FrogIs_Restore">{{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}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://buffalorising.com/2013/10/frog-island-habitat-restoration/ |title=Frog Island Habitat Restoration |date=October 2013 |access-date=August 13, 2014 |archive-date=August 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813081018/http://buffalorising.com/2013/10/frog-island-habitat-restoration/ |url-status=live }}</ref> including a nesting colony of [[common tern]]s established in 2021, for whom the new island was named.<ref>{{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]] |access-date=April 11, 2025 |archive-date=December 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241211034101/https://www.audubon.org/news/nesting-common-terns-get-new-island-home-buffalo |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Three Sisters Islands (New York)|Three Sisters Islands]]
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| Park
| Located next to [[Goat Island (New York)|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, New York|North Tonawanda]]
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| Developed
| Occupied by a marina and several industries.
|-
| Tower Island
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| Man-made
| Man-made island created in 1942 and completed in 1954 by the [[US Army Corps of Engineers]] to construct [[International Control Dam]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Niagara River Islands History - Tower Island, Niagara Falls USA |date=February 3, 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=October 1, 2019 |access-date=October 1, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| [[Unity Island]]
| [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]]
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| Developed
| Home to [[Broderick Park]], Unity Island Park, and a waste-water treatment facility.
|-
| Willow Island
| [[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]]
| {{Flagu|United States}}
| 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, Ontario|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}}.

==See also==
*[[List of international border rivers]]
*[[List of New York rivers]]
*[[List of Ontario rivers]]
*[[Whirlpool Aero Car]]

==References==
{{Reflist
|refs =
<ref name=Linnabery>{{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 |archive-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722112224/https://www.lockportjournal.com/news/lifestyles/niagara-discoveries-the-lost-islands-of-the-niagara-river/article_305cd781-51bd-507c-90ba-7079cf05893d.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

* 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}}

==Further reading==
* Hulbert, A. B. (1908). [https://archive.org/details/niagarariver00hulbgoog The Niagara River]. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons.

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Wikisource1911Enc|Niagara}}
* [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''.

{{Portal bar|New York (state)|Ontario}}
{{Great Lakes}}
{{Ramsar sites in the United States}}
{{Niagara Falls}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Niagara River| ]]
[[Category:International rivers of North America]]
[[Category:Rivers of New York (state)]]
[[Category:Rivers of the Regional Municipality of Niagara]]
[[Category:Canada–United States border]]
[[Category:Border rivers]]
<!-- [[Category:Tributaries of Lake Ontario]] Suppressed this category as Category:Niagara River — used in the article — itself has Category:Tributaries of Lake Ontario as a category-->
[[Category:Rivers of Niagara County, New York]]
[[Category:Rivers of Erie County, New York]]
[[Category:Saint Lawrence Seaway]]
[[Category:Ramsar sites in the United States]]
[[Category:New York (state) placenames of Native American origin]]