During the summer months, at least 2,800 m 3 (99,000 cu ft) per second of water traverse the falls, some 90% of which goes over Horseshoe Falls, while the balance is diverted to hydroelectric facilities and then on to American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. Since the flow is a direct function of the Lake Erie water elevation, it typically peaks in late spring or early summer.

The average annual flow rate is 2,400 m 3 (85,000 cu ft) per second. The peak flow over Horseshoe Falls was recorded at 6,370 m 3 (225,000 cu ft) per second. The distance between the American extremity of Niagara Falls and the Canadian extremity is 1,039 m (3,409 ft). The larger Horseshoe Falls is about 790 m (2,590 ft) wide, while the American Falls is 320 m (1,050 ft) wide. Horseshoe Falls is about 57 m (187 ft) high, while the height of the American Falls varies between 21 and 30 m (69 and 98 ft) because of the presence of giant boulders at its base. Niagara Falls was formed when glaciers receded at the end of the Wisconsin glaciation (the last ice age), and water from the newly formed Great Lakes carved a path over and through the Niagara Escarpment en route to the Atlantic Ocean.Ĭharacteristics Canadian Horseshoe Falls at right Niagara Falls is 27 km (17 mi) northwest of Buffalo, New York, and 69 km (43 mi) southeast of Toronto, between the twin cities of Niagara Falls, Ontario, and Niagara Falls, New York. Balancing recreational, commercial, and industrial uses has been a challenge for the stewards of the falls since the 19th century. Niagara Falls is famed for its beauty and is a valuable source of hydroelectric power. Horseshoe Falls is the most powerful waterfall in North America, as measured by flow rate. During peak daytime tourist hours, more than 168,000 m 3 (5.9 million cu ft) of water goes over the crest of the falls every minute. Bridal Veil Falls is separated from Horseshoe Falls by Goat Island and from American Falls by Luna Island, with both islands situated in New York.įormed by the Niagara River, which drains Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, the combined falls have the highest flow rate of any waterfall in North America that has a vertical drop of more than 50 m (160 ft). The smaller American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls lie within the United States. The largest of the three is Horseshoe Falls, which straddles the international border of the two countries. Niagara Falls ( / n aɪ ˈ æ ɡ ər ə/) is a group of three waterfalls at the southern end of Niagara Gorge, spanning the border between the province of Ontario in Canada and the state of New York in the United States. Niagara River into the Niagara Gorge on the border of New York in the United States and Ontario in CanadaĤ3☀4′48″N 79☀4′29″W / 43.0799°N 79.0747°W / 43.0799 -79.0747 ( Niagara Falls)

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