The Niagara and Onondaga Escarpments
in Western New York State
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.
Niagara Escarpment Waterfalls
|
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.
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.
Copyright © 2022 by Scott A. Ensminger.
This information may not be reproduced without written permission.
You can send me e-mail at: falzguy@verizon.net
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