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About the American Falls

AKA Rainbow Falls

Height: 183 ft (56 meters) tall at its highest point to the river. The free-fall to the rocks below varies between 75-110 feet (28-33.5 meters) with an average of about 85 feet (26 m). Roughly 10 feet taller than the Horseshoe Falls.

Width: 830 feet (253 meters) measured straight across the brink. If measured along the zigzag-like brink: 949 feet (290 meters) long.

Faces: Northwest.

Flow: 140,000 gal/sec (18,700 cubic feet per second), excluding the flow through Bridal Veil Falls. The American/Bridal Veil Falls together carry about 10% of the total flow of Niagara Falls. The flow can dip to half during off-peak tourism months.

GPS: N 43.08451 / W 79.06949

Location: Between Prospect Point and Luna Island in Niagara Falls, NY, USA.

Number of daredevils over: Zero

Video: Click here for video.

About Bridal Veil Falls

AKA Luna Falls, Iris Falls

Height: 181 ft (55 meters) tall at its highest point to the river below. The freefall measures roughly 78 feet (24 m).

Width: 56 feet (17 meters) measured straight across the brink. The total width of the American and Bridal Veil Falls together is 1,100 feet (326 meters).

Faces: Northwest.

Plunge pool depth: The rock debris at the base of the falls fills in what could have been a pool as deep as the falls are tall. The depth of the river increases dramatically as the distance away from the rock debris increases. In addition to the debris, there are the red wooden decks built for the Cave of the Winds tours.

Flow: 10,000 gal/sec (1,300 cubic feet per second). The American/Bridal Veil Falls together carry about 10% of the total flow of Niagara Falls. The flow can dip to half during off-peak tourism months.

GPS: N 43.08346 / W 79.07075

Location: Immediately south of the American Falls, between Luna Island and Goat Island in Niagara Falls, NY, USA.

Number of daredevils over: Zero

Amazing Nearby Parks

Fort Niagara State Park and Historic Site

The State Park section is an excellent recreation facility with excellent views of Lake Ontario.

The Historic Site is a living museum with daily reenactments and interesting architecture. It's only a short distance from the Falls.

Devil's Hole State Park

The site of a bloody ambush on a British supply convoy, this interesting geologic feature in the Niagara Gorge has excellent hiking and fishing opportunities, as well as spectacular vistas. Great fishing as well!

Whirlpool State Park

Breathtaking views of the notorious Class V Whirlpool Rapids and the geologic wonder known as the Whirlpool. The terrain is rough and the water is extremely dangerous, but the view is oh so worth it. This park should not be missed!

Wilson-Tuscarora State Park

A nearby lakeside park with a nice beach, excellent nature trails, and wonderful fishing opportunities. A great place to launch a boat into Lake Ontario via Tuscarora Bay

Niagara Falls Desktop Wallpaper

Decorate your computer with these colorful, high-resolution desktop backgrounds. Be sure to check out the wallpapers for other New York State waterfalls and nature scenes.

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About the Horseshoe Falls

AKA Canadian Falls

Height: Averaging 173 feet (53 meters) to the river below.

Width: Measuring in a straight line from the edge on the American side to the edge of the Canadian side the length is 977 feet (298 meters). Following the crest of the falls around: 2,200 feet (670 meters).

Faces: North.

Plunge pool depth: The falls ends in a 185 ft (57 meter) pool at its base. Although you cannot see the rock debris at the base of the falls like with the American Falls, the water of the Horseshoe Falls does not fall directly into the plunge pool and in many sections. Rock piles come very close to the surface throughout the pool.

Flow: 600,000 gal/sec (80,200 cubic feet per second). Carries 90% of the total flow of Niagara Falls. The flow can dip to half during off-peak tourism months.

GPS: N 43.07729 / W 79.07478

Location: Between Terrapin Point on Goat Island in the USA and Table Rock in Canada. The US/Canadian border runs through the falls, with most of the falls on the Canadian side.

Number of daredevils over: 14, with 5 dead.

Video: Click here for video.

About the Niagara River

The Niagara River runs north 35 miles, carrying water from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. At around 6 miles it surrounds the massive Grand Island and Beaver Island State Park. 22 miles in it splits in two again, forming Goat Island and creating the Cascade Rapids where the water begins to speed up in its initial descent down the Niagara Escarpment at Niagara Falls. There it drops an average of 178 feet (54 meters) and forms the 7 mile long Niagara Gorge. The river reaches a maximum depth of 185 feet (57 meters) near the base of the falls.

2.5 miles north of the falls the canyon narrows and the water accelerates, forming the class 6 Whirlpool Rapids, some of the most dangerous waters in the world. Traveling at nearly 35 mph, it bends nearly 90 degrees a half mile later at the Whirlpool.

The Niagara River calms to a class 3 as it passes through Devil’s Hole and it's smooth sailing the rest of the way to Lake Ontario.

Explore our interactive map of the river.