What's An Ice Bridge?

An Ice Bridge at Niagara Falls occurs when the lower basin of water below the Canadian Horseshoe Falls, Bridal, and American Falls is covered with ice. The Ice Bridge often extends from the base of the falls to the Rainbow Bridge between Canada and the United States.

These Ice Bridges have been around for decades and can be found during severely cold winters. They begin to form when the cold weather creates ice in the upper Niagara River and Lake Erie. As soon as the first warm spell occurs, a strong south-west, wind pushes large chunks of ice down the river crashing below the Falls and plugging up the basin below with large pieces of ice forming the Ice Bridge.

In the late 19th hundreds and early 20th century, people were actually allowed to venture out onto this Ice Bridge. Some even set up shacks on the ice to sell souvenirs and liquor. That all ended when in February 1912 three people lost their lives in a tragic accident.  Since then, it has been illegal to venture onto the Ice Bridge.