Niagara Falls is widely recognized for its immense power and beauty, but the true ecological wonder lies in the deep, 7-mile-long Niagara Gorge it has carved into the landscape. This dynamic, bi-national corridor supports a remarkably diverse ecosystem straddling the border between the United States and Canada. The constant, powerful flow of the Niagara River, connecting Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, prevents the water from freezing, creating a reliable, open-water habitat year-round. The deep gorge generates unique microclimates, where constant mist nourishes specialized plant and animal communities along the steep, rocky walls. This combination of swift water, deep gorge, and perpetual mist allows the Niagara River corridor to support over 1,250 different species of plants and animals.
Birds of the Gorge and River
The Niagara River Corridor is internationally recognized as a Globally Significant Important Bird Area due to the massive concentrations of gulls and waterfowl using its open waters. During the winter, when regional freshwater bodies are frozen solid, the turbulent, unfrozen river becomes a sanctuary for tens of thousands of birds. This includes globally significant numbers of Bonaparte’s Gulls, along with vast flocks of Herring Gulls and Ring-billed Gulls, which feed on baitfish stunned by the turbulence below the falls.
The sheer cliffs of the gorge provide specialized nesting and roosting habitat for several raptor species. Peregrine Falcons utilize the high, inaccessible ledges as nesting sites, a success following reintroduction efforts after the ban on DDT. Turkey Vultures are commonly seen soaring on the updrafts created by the gorge structure, while Bald Eagles fish the turbulent waters. Smaller species like the Cliff Swallow build their mud nests directly onto the vertical rock faces and under bridges, using the protection of the gorge walls to raise their young.
Aquatic Species of the Niagara River
The Niagara River’s fast-moving, cold water supports a robust and diverse aquatic community, though the Falls create a significant biological barrier. The Horseshoe Falls separate the fish populations of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, leading to genetically distinct groups of some native species above and below the cataract. Over 60 different fish species inhabit the river.
The Upper Niagara features large game fish like Northern Pike and Muskellunge in its shallower areas. The turbulent Lower Niagara River is known for cold-water species such as Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Chinook Salmon, which utilize the river for spawning runs. The Lake Sturgeon, a threatened, long-lived resident, benefits from habitat restoration efforts. The Emerald Shiner serves as a keystone species, forming the base of the food web for many predatory fish and fish-eating birds.
Mammals and Terrestrial Life
The forested parklands and the rim of the Niagara Gorge provide refuge for a variety of terrestrial mammals. White-tailed Deer are commonly found grazing in the dense woodlands and clearings. Smaller, adaptable mammals such as Raccoons, Skunks, and Red Foxes are also prevalent throughout the surrounding state and provincial parks.
The steep cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment are important for several bat species, which use the rock crevices for roosting and hibernation. Researchers have identified species such as the Eastern Small-footed Myotis, Little Brown Myotis, and Big Brown Bat utilizing the gorge’s deep fissures as summer day-roosts. The unique microclimate also supports specific amphibians, including the rare Northern Dusky Salamander, found in secluded seepage areas along the Canadian side.
Protecting the Niagara Ecosystem
The bi-national nature of the Niagara River requires extensive cooperation between Canadian and US agencies to protect the corridor’s unique fauna. The Niagara River Corridor has been designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the global Ramsar Convention, recognizing its role as a migratory and wintering area. This designation supports large-scale Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) aimed at improving water quality and restoring lost habitat.
Restoration work focuses on reversing historical damage, such as the loss of coastal wetlands and shoreline hardening. Projects include the creation of new wetland habitat and the goal of establishing native vegetation along 75% of the Canadian shoreline of the Upper Niagara River by 2028. Species-specific programs have also yielded success, such as the recovery of the Peregrine Falcon population following the ban on DDT.