The Niagara River Gorge measures approximately 7 miles long from Horseshoe Falls to and Queenston-Lewiston. Over the years the gorge has widened due to erosion and weathering which has in turn caused rock falls. There are several different parts of the Gorge. All of them are shaped differently due to erosion and the different speeds and amounts of water that flowed through each part during the ice age and beyond. The most popular parts of the Niagara Gorge are the Upper Great Gorge, also known as the maid of the mist Pool, and the Whirlpool Rapids Gorge, which is world famous for its wild rapids
The Upper Great Gorge is the area closest to the Horseshoe Falls. This area is known as the maid of the mist Pool and is navigable for it s entire length. This is the section that the maid of the mist Tour boat takes you. It is right before the Whirlpool Rapids.
The Whirlpool Rapids Gorge narrows to only 150 yards wide. Combining that with the speed of the water, 22 mile per hour, and the rapid decline of the river creates some of the most treacherous rapids in the world. The depth of the water in this area is about 35 feet.
The Lower Great Gorge, also known as Devil's Hole is the section located just north of the whirlpool. This lower area is home to class 3 rapids due to the rapid descent of the land, 47 feet in less than one-third of a mile. The Old Narrow Gorge is the area leads to the Hydro Generating Stations.
