Niagara Falls is one of the most famous water systems in North America, drawing millions of visitors each year. This quiz explores the rich history, geography, and daring stunts associated with these powerful cascades.
You will see questions about the geological formation of the river, the history of the Maid of the Mist boat tours, and the daring people who went over the edge. Some questions look at rock layers and water diversion agreements.
When you finish, try quizzes on natural wonders, look into legendary famous landmarks, or read about weird travel curiosities.
Niagara Falls is situated on the international border between which two jurisdictions?
Ontario and Pennsylvania
Ontario and Pennsylvania
Ontario and New York
Ontario and New York
Manitoba and Ohio
Manitoba and Ohio
Quebec and Michigan
Quebec and Michigan
The Niagara River serves as a connecting channel between which two Great Lakes?
Lake Huron and Lake Erie
Lake Huron and Lake Erie
Lake Michigan and Lake Huron
Lake Michigan and Lake Huron
Lake Superior and Lake Huron
Lake Superior and Lake Huron
Lake Erie and Lake Ontario
Lake Erie and Lake Ontario
Which of the three waterfalls at Niagara is the largest and primarily located on the Canadian side?
Horseshoe Falls
Horseshoe Falls
Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls
American Falls
American Falls
Great Falls
Great Falls
In what year did the Maid of the Mist boat tour company begin operations?
1856
1856
1876
1876
1846
1846
1866
1866
Who was the first person to successfully survive a trip over Niagara Falls in a barrel in 1901?
Charles Blondin
Charles Blondin
Jean Lussier
Jean Lussier
Bobby Leach
Bobby Leach
Annie Edson Taylor
Annie Edson Taylor
What geological process was the primary driver in the formation of the Niagara River and its gorge?
Tectonic plate subduction
Tectonic plate subduction
Glacial meltwater and erosion
Glacial meltwater and erosion
Sedimentation from massive desert winds
Sedimentation from massive desert winds
Volcanic activity and lava flow
Volcanic activity and lava flow
What is the main purpose of the water diversion tunnels and canals managed by the U.S. and Canada?
Hydroelectric power generation
Hydroelectric power generation
Increasing the visibility of the rock face for tourism
Increasing the visibility of the rock face for tourism
Providing a permanent coolant for nuclear plants
Providing a permanent coolant for nuclear plants
Irrigation of surrounding farmlands
Irrigation of surrounding farmlands
During off-peak tourist hours, what percentage of the river water can be diverted for hydroelectric use?
55 percent
55 percent
65 percent
65 percent
75 percent
75 percent
85 percent
85 percent
Which two primary rock layers are exposed in the cliff face of the Niagara Escarpment?
Sandstone and Obsidian
Sandstone and Obsidian
Limestone and Quartzite
Limestone and Quartzite
Dolomite and Shale
Dolomite and Shale
Granite and Basalt
Granite and Basalt
Which daredevil survived a trip over the falls in a steel barrel in 1911, only to later die from complications after slipping on an orange peel?
William ‘Red’ Hill Sr.
William ‘Red’ Hill Sr.
Bobby Leach
Bobby Leach
Karel Soucek
Karel Soucek
Steve Trotter
Steve Trotter
Which island is situated directly between the American Falls and the Horseshoe Falls?
Three Sisters Islands
Three Sisters Islands
Luna Island
Luna Island
Navy Island
Navy Island
Goat Island
Goat Island
Geologists estimate that the falls as we know them today began to form approximately how many years ago?
20,000 years ago
20,000 years ago
12,000 years ago
12,000 years ago
16,000 years ago
16,000 years ago
8,000 years ago
8,000 years ago
In what year did the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers temporarily stop the flow of the American Falls to study erosion?
1969
1969
1977
1977
1973
1973
1965
1965
What type of vessel did Charles Stephens use in an unsuccessful attempt to go over the falls in 1920?
A steel-reinforced rubber ball
A steel-reinforced rubber ball
A custom-built wooden barrel with leather straps
A custom-built wooden barrel with leather straps
An inflatable raft encased in a metal cage
An inflatable raft encased in a metal cage
A galvanized steel drum reinforced with tires
A galvanized steel drum reinforced with tires
What was the name of the original vessel used for the first Maid of the Mist ferry service?
The Whirlpool Express
The Whirlpool Express
The Niagara Queen
The Niagara Queen
The Maid of the Mist I
The Maid of the Mist I
The Cloud Dancer
The Cloud Dancer
Which geological rock formation forms the cap of the Niagara Falls, providing the durability needed to create the precipice?
The Rochester Formation
The Rochester Formation
The Queenston Formation
The Queenston Formation
The Lockport Formation
The Lockport Formation
The Whirlpool Formation
The Whirlpool Formation
Which international bridge provides the closest view of the falls while connecting Niagara Falls, Ontario, to Niagara Falls, New York?
The Lewiston-Queenston Bridge
The Lewiston-Queenston Bridge
The Rainbow Bridge
The Rainbow Bridge
The Great Gorge Bridge
The Great Gorge Bridge
The Peace Bridge
The Peace Bridge
Which daredevil met his demise in the falls while inside a barrel along with his pet turtle?
George Stathakis
George Stathakis
Peter DeBernardi
Peter DeBernardi
Nathan Boya
Nathan Boya
Jean Lussier
Jean Lussier
The Niagara Treaty of what year officially established the regulations regarding water diversion for power generation?
1950
1950
1955
1955
1945
1945
1960
1960
What is the name of the turbulent section of the Niagara River located downstream from the falls?
The Whirlpool Rapids
The Whirlpool Rapids
The Cave of the Winds
The Cave of the Winds
The Terrapin Point vortex
The Terrapin Point vortex
The Horseshoe Basin
The Horseshoe Basin
Which stuntman successfully went over the falls in a barrel in 1984, but later died after a separate stunt at the Houston Astrodome?
Steve Trotter
Steve Trotter
Dave Munday
Dave Munday
David Ames
David Ames
Karel Soucek
Karel Soucek
In which year was the oldest state park in the United States, the Niagara Reservation, established to protect the falls?
1875
1875
1885
1885
1905
1905
1895
1895
You can do better
Not bad
Great!
If you enjoyed this quiz, try trivia on historic places, learn about bridges and engineering marvels, or see how well you know islands and beaches around the globe.
