High Falls

High Falls, or Upper Falls, is the highest of Rochester’s three Genesee River waterfalls and one of the city’s defining natural features. It played a central role in Rochester’s early industrial growth, as water diverted into Brown’s Race powered flour mills and other river industries; that water now generates hydroelectric power. The falls are also linked to local legend through Sam Patch, the Yankee Leaper, whose final jump here in 1829 ended in his death. Viewed today from the nearby Pont De Rennes bridge, High Falls remains a civic emblem, with plans announced in October 2025 for a 40-acre state park and expanded public access.

Rochester, New York · United States