Frozen Falls
No, this isn’t the work of Hollywood or an internet prank, Niagara Falls actually can form a layer of ice! In fact, it’s happened in this dramatic fashion several times before.
This spectacular event is the work of prolonged frigid temperatures combined with some sneaky science. Let’s take a look at the facts behind this event as well as the history of major freezes.
Do the Falls actually freeze solid?
Not quite. Prior to 1964, ice could block the flow of water further up the river, reducing the volume of water on the US side of the Falls to the point of freezing. This happened five times before steel ice-booms were added to prevent large collections of ice. More recently, the frozen effect you’ve seen is similar to any other river or lake that freezes. Surface water and mist in the air turns to ice, but there is still plenty of water flowing. The volume of water that makes up Niagara Falls combined with the constant movement of the river makes a total freeze nearly impossible.
What makes the ice buildup so dramatic and beautiful is that water can freeze as it’s going over the falls, creating a large collection of ice below that can be well over 40 feet thick. This phenomenon leads to the amazing ice formations you see pictured here. If you look carefully though you’ll see that sections of the falls are still flowing like usual.
How often does this happen?
It’s common for ice to form on the river every winter. The extent of the ice collection at the base of the falls will vary depending on how many days or weeks of sustained cold hit the area. When extreme cold hits for long periods of time, like the polar vortex events of 2014 and 2015, we can see massive collections of ice that make for famous “frozen falls” photographs.
Is it safe to walk on the ice?
No! Ice over a rapidly moving body of water like you’ll find at the base of the Falls is very unsafe. Almost a century ago, people were allowed to walk on the ice bridge and it became a regular part of the attraction in winter, however that changed when three lives were lost due to breakage in the ice.
Watch the video below to see the snow and ice accumulation during the 2015 polar vortex
Want to learn more about Niagara Falls? Explore the Falls here!