What is an escarpment? One definition is a cliff or steep slope separating two comparatively level surfaces.

    The Niagara and Onondaga Escarpments formed over millions of years through the differential erosion of rock layers that vary in hardness. The Niagara Escarpment has a cap rock of Lockport Dolostone. It is from the Middle Silurian Age dating back about 425 million years. The Onondaga Escarpment has a cap rock of Onondaga Limestone. It is from the Middle Devonian Age dating back about 388 million years. These rock layers are more resistant to erosion than the rock layers above and below them. Over time the less resistant rocks weather and are eroded away by the action of streams. The escarpments are not a continuous cliff along their lengths. There are substantial breaks and portions are buried by glacial deposits. Neither escarpment is formed by faulting.



    In Western New York State the Niagara Escarpment begins at Lewiston and trends easterly to just beyond Rochester, a distance of 79 miles. The Onondaga Escarpment begins at Buffalo and trends easterly to just beyond Caledonia, a distance of 62 miles. The crest elevation of the Niagara Escarpment near Lewiston is 600 feet above sea level. The crest elevation of the Onondaga Escarpment near Buffalo is 650 feet above sea level. Between the two escarpments is a comparatively flat area known as the Tonawanda Plain.
    The Niagara Escarpment existed long before the formation of Niagara Falls. Without the escarpment's cap rock of Lockport Dolostone the falls most likely would have not formed. Instead a series of long rapids may have materialized.




    Two rivers, the Niagara and Genesee, have eroded deep gorges into the Niagara Escarpment, creating impressive cataracts. Many smaller streams also flow over the escarpment's crest and created smaller waterfalls. The Onondaga Escarpment becomes more noticeable east of Buffalo, and in some areas there is a cliff that is upwards of 30 feet in height. Major streams that flow over it are Ellicott Creek, Murder Creek, Tonawanda Creek, and Oatka Creek. All of which have formed interesting waterfalls.


    The tables below list many of the falls found on the Niagara and Onondaga Escarpments. They are a subjective list of most of the waterfalls I know of. A few waterfalls were intentionally not included because of landowner sensitivity issues or other reasons. The tables are not intended to encourage anyone to search out the falls.

	Name	County	Height	Access
1	Hermit's Cascade	Niagara	5	Niagara Falls State Park
2	Second Sister Falls	Niagara	5	Niagara Falls State Park
3	Third Sister Falls	Niagara	7	Niagara Falls State Park
4	Bridal Veil Falls	Niagara	181	Niagara Falls State Park
5	American Falls	Niagara	183	Niagara Falls State Park
6	Devil's Hole Falls	Niagara	10	Devil's Hole State Park
7	Spring Cave Cascade	Niagara	280	Artpark State Park  Upper section is 150 feet
8	Fish Creek Falls	Niagara	320	Destroyed in 1962  Fish Creek Spillway is 50 feet
9	Andrix Falls	Niagara	5	Private Property
10	Plank Road Falls	Niagara	12	Private Property
11	Thrall Hill Falls	Niagara	26	Private Property
12	Thrall Hill Falls, Lower	Niagara	5	Private Property  Formed in 2021
13	The Ancient Falls	Niagara	27	Private Property
14	Indian Falls	Niagara	6	Rollin T. Grant Gulf Wilderness Park
15	Culvert Cascade	Niagara	50	Private Property
16	Northledge Cascade	Niagara	15	Private Property
17	Cottage Ravine Falls	Niagara	7	Private Property
18	Toenniessen Falls	Niagara	6	John B. Austin Nature Trail
19	Notron's Falls	Niagara	24	Royalton Ravine Park
20	Mill Falls	Niagara	19	Private Property
21	Washboard Falls	Niagara	27	Private Property
22	Otto Dam/Falls	Niagara	10	Private Property  Can be seen from Slayton Settlement Road
23	Jeddo Creek	Orleans	24	Private Property
24	Shelby Center Falls	Orleans	10	Private Property
25	Medina Falls	Orleans	22	Erie Canal Towpath
26	Albion Falls, North	Orleans	5	Private Property
27	Albion Falls, South	Orleans	10	Private Property
28	Clarendon Falls	Orleans	26	Clarendon Town Park
29	High Falls	Monroe	96	High Falls Terrace Park
30	Middle Falls	Monroe	20	Lower Falls Park
31	Lower Falls	Monroe	110	Lower Falls Park
32	Tunnel Falls	Monroe	5	Corbett's Glen Nature Park
33	Postcard Falls	Monroe	6	Corbett's Glen Nature Park

Onondaga Escarpment Waterfalls

	Name	County	Height	Access
1	Serenity Falls	Erie	8	Forest Lawn Cemetery
2	Freddie's Falls	Erie	5	Private Property
3	Williams Mill Falls	Erie	7	Glen Park
4	Glen Falls, Upper	Erie	5	Glen Park
5	Glen Falls	Erie	27	Glen Park
6	Sawmill Falls	Erie	5	Private Property
7	Sawmill Falls, Lower	Erie	5	Private Property
8	Akron Falls	Erie	44	Akron Falls County Park
9	Akron Falls, Upper	Erie	20	Akron Falls County Park
10	Indian Falls	Genesee	20	Indian Falls Log Cabin Restaurant
11	Morganvill Falls	Genesee	27	Private Property
12	Le Roy Falls	Genesee	6	Mill Street Overlook
13	Buttermilk Falls	Genesee	58	Private Property
14	Spring Thaw Falls	Genesee	27	Private Property
15	Onondaga Falls	Genesee	22	Private Property

    The data on these tables is for informational purposes only. If you try to search out the waterfalls listed as being on private property please ask for permission to enter the property.

Recreation on private property is a privilege granted by the landowner, NOT A RIGHT.

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    For views of the rock layers that make up the Niagara Escarpment follow the Earl W. Brydges Artpark Gorge Trail (7). Click here for a Trail Map.

    For views of the rock layers that make up the Ondaga Escarpment you can visit the Onondaga Escarpment Unique Area or the Clarence Escarpment Sanctuary at 9554 Greiner Road, Clarence, New York.

This page was inspired by Karen Limardi.

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Copyright © 2022 by Scott A. Ensminger.
This information may not be reproduced without written permission.

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    You can send me e-mail at: falzguy@verizon.net

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