Portage Falls facts for kids

A great view from the Portage Viaduct.

An old drawing of the falls and Portage Bridge from 1891.

A painting of Portage Falls by Thomas Cole from 1839.

Portage Falls are three amazing waterfalls found on the Genesee River. These falls are located near the Portage Bridge. They flow through Letchworth State Park, a beautiful area often called the "Grand Canyon of the East." William Pryor Letchworth once owned land here. He built his home, the Glen Iris Estate, which is now part of the park. The towns of Portage, New York and Portageville are also close by.

The three main waterfalls are called the Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls. They are found in Portage Canyon, which is in the southern part of the state park. A stone bridge below the Lower Falls is part of a walking trail. The Middle Falls are the tallest of the three. Above the Upper Falls, a busy railroad trestle crosses the gorge.

What are Portage Falls?

Portage Falls are a series of three large waterfalls. They are a major natural attraction in Letchworth State Park. The park is famous for its deep gorge and stunning scenery.

The Three Waterfalls

There are three distinct waterfalls at Portage:

• Upper Falls: These are the first falls you see when coming from the south.
• Middle Falls: These are the tallest and most powerful of the three. They are a popular spot for visitors.
• Lower Falls: These falls are further downstream. A historic stone bridge crosses the river just below them.

Portage Canyon's Geology

The waterfalls flow through Portage Canyon. This canyon was carved by the Genesee River over thousands of years. Geologists, like James Hall in 1843, have studied the rock layers here. His work helped us understand how the area was formed.

History and Art at the Falls

The beauty of Portage Falls has inspired many artists. Thomas Cole, a famous painter, created a painting of the falls in 1839. This shows how important and beautiful the area was even then.

Early Photographs of Portage Falls

An old photo of the falls by A. J. Fisher.

In the past, special photos called stereoscopic views were made of the falls. These photos gave a 3D effect. A collection from 1875 shows many scenes. These include the Genesee River, the waterfalls, and the old wooden and iron railroad bridges. They also show the Genesee Valley Canal and local buildings like the Glen Iris Estate.

Traveling to Portage Falls

For a long time, people have traveled to see Portage Falls. In the past, train companies like the Buffalo & New York Railroad and Erie Railroad encouraged visitors. They told passengers they could spend over nine hours enjoying the amazing scenery.

Canal and Bridges Near the Falls

To help boats travel past the falls, the Genesee Valley Canal was built. This canal allowed boats to bypass the waterfalls. A large structure called a viaduct, about 400 feet long, was built across the river for the canal. Later, in 1853, a wooden bridge was built across the deep gorge. This bridge was later replaced by the famous Portage Bridge.

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