The extreme cold in the Northeast is freezing parts of Niagara Falls but the falls aren't really frozen.

Niagara Falls photos have gone viral after national news outlets, from CNN to People, have claimed 'Niagara Falls is frozen.' It's really not and never will.

The falls have only frozen completely over once. Build up from ice glaciers on the Canadian side of the falls stopped the flow in 1848. Since then the falls have NEVER frozen over.

Parts of the falls on both the Canadian and U.S. side do freeze in the Winter, but there's always 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.

The 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. The extent of the ice varies depending on how long the cold sticks around. When frigid weather stays for long periods of time, like the polar vortex in 2014 and 2015, you'll see massive collections of ice.

Even though the falls aren't really frozen, they are still beautiful to see, with ice and snow creating a Winter Wonderland.

Check out photos and videos from both sides of the Falls.

 

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