Shequaga Falls

Shequaga Falls is found right in the center of the village of Montour Falls, along North Genesee Street, about half of a mile south of where it intersects Highway 14 at the north end of town. An alternate approach would be to take West Main Street west from Highway 14, which will intersect North Genesee right next to the falls. Parking is available along the street, and a small park provides up close views of the falls. Please respect the privacy of the residential properties on either side of the falls.Shequaga Falls is one of the most significant waterfalls in the Watkins Glen area. Located in the small village of Montour Falls, Shequaga Creek veils over a very scenic two-stepped fall which drops 164 feet in total, with an upper step of 52 feet, and a lower drop of 112 feet. Both the upper tier and the top third of the lower tier feature a strikingly similar rounded veiling shape, the stream appearing to pour over a bulbous dome of bedrock. The lower two-thirds of the lower drop however then reverts to a lacy veiling fall with the water sheeting out across the smooth bedrock in pulsating channels, with a small sheer leap over an undercut ledge near the bottom of the drop. Below the falls a tall concrete barrier lines the pool and stream as a flood control device, to prevent the creek from spilling right into the back yards of the adjacent homes.
The drainage basin of Shequaga Creek covers an area of approximately 14 square miles, much of which is farm land, but there are several areas of swamp which will help to regulate stream flow. During the summer and early autumn months, the volume of the stream can be reduced considerably, to the point where just a trickle of water is present without heavy rain fall to replenish the basin. From roughly November through May however expect to see the stream with a healthy flow.The name of this waterfall is derived from the Seneca word She-Qua-Ga, which means "tumbling waters". The falls were at one point known as Montour Falls as well, and the surrounding village adopted the name, but Shequaga has long been the proper accepted name for the waterfall. The spelling of Chequaga is not common and is incorrect, though still pronounced the same.