The Buffalo River is a historically rich industrial waterway that played a pivotal role in Great Lakes commerce from the 1800s through the mid-20th century. Once lined with grain elevators, steel mills, shipyards, and bustling docks, the river became one of the busiest commercial corridors in the United States.

Below its surface lie remains of wooden barges, canal boats, dock infrastructure, dredging equipment, and scattered industrial debris — all tied to the rise and fall of Buffalo’s shipping era. Although the river is not a traditional recreational diving location, it contains historically valuable submerged artifacts and wreckage from the city’s industrial and maritime heritage.

As Buffalo River research continues, any confirmed sites tagged as Must Dive in the Shotline archive will appear here automatically.

[sld_must_dive_grid body_of_water=”Buffalo River” posts_per_page=”4″]

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Erie Canalway Heritage Corridor
• Buffalo River Restoration Initiatives

• NOAA Buffalo Harbor charts
• Erie Canalway archives
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• C-3 Inland Waters Wreck Register
• Shotline Diving Master Index