Niagara Falls is thawing out after a once-in-a-decade deep freeze, and a contest to capture the best shot of the ice formation has crowned its winner. Dubbed the “Frozen Falls Social Media Contest,” content creators were asked to share their snaps for a chance to win $5,000 in cold, hard cash. Click through this gallery to see the top 10 submissions, including the third, second, and third place winners, as well as commentary from the contest judges.

Published: April 07, 2026 at 10:37AM EDT

FROZEN NIAGARA FALLS CONTEST While it may look like the Falls are frozen, technically the water never stops flowing. (Niagara Parks/Instagram: Maplelensworks) FROZEN NIAGARA FALLS CONTEST According to Niagara Parks, during freezing temperatures, the mist and spray from the falls begin to form a crust of ice over top of the rushing water, making it appear as though the Falls have in fact stopped. “However, the water continues to flow underneath the sheets of ice.” (Niagara Parks/Instagram: K84.rjc) FROZEN NIAGARA FALLS CONTEST Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati was one of the judges of the contest, and said picking a winner was “so tough.” “Give someone a camera or a phone and they captured the Falls like I’ve never seen before.”
(Niagara Parks/Instagram: Parker_Burkett) FROZEN NIAGARA FALLS CONTEST “Some of them hit me right here,” Diodati said, pointing to his chest. “I could really feel the ice, the formation, the Arctic cold.” (Niagara Parks/Instagram: Slooky1958) FROZEN NIAGARA FALLS CONTEST “Local inhabitants, accustomed to the sound of the river, heard an eerie silence and those who were brave enough, walked or rode horses over the exposed basin,” the Niagara Parks website reads. (Niagara Parks/Instagram: Stanmilitiagirl) FROZEN NIAGARA FALLS CONTEST The contest, which also featured a video component, had strict rules for entry, including that all submissions must be captured “safely and legally.” “Content that is unsafe, inappropriate or misleading may be disqualified at the organizer’s discretion,” the contest rules state. AI generated or enhanced images were also strictly prohibited. (Niagara Parks/Instagram: Lei_Yang_photography) FROZEN NIAGARA FALLS CONTEST Before 1964, Niagara Parks says ice would float each winter from Lake Erie along the Niagara River, seriously impeding power diversions and damaging shoreline installations and bridges. “Beginning in 1964, the use of an “ice boom” at the source of the river has controlled potential damage caused by floating ice. The 2.7 km (1.7 mile) long boom is made of floating 30foot long steel pontoons and is placed between the town of Fort Erie and the city of Buffalo to hold the ice back,” Niagara Parks’ website states. (Niagara Parks/Instagram: Jonadigital) FROZEN NIAGARA FALLS CONTEST Rob Miller’s photo, captioned “Under the Falls,” took home the third place spot and claimed a $1,000 prize. (Niagara Parks/Instagram: Bedr.focus) FROZEN NIAGARA FALLS CONTEST Ajo Mathew’s snap took second place. He won a $2,500 prize. (Niagara Parks/Instagram: Into_the_frames_n_hues) FROZEN NIAGARA FALLS CONTEST A photographer who goes by the handle “mytnyphotography” was crowned the contest winner, claiming a grand prize of $5,000. (Niagara Parks/Instagram: Mytnyphotography)