Niagara Falls (Horseshoe or Canadian Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls)

Niagara Falls isn’t the highest waterfall—not even within New York State. But, for sheer size and volume of water, it can’t be beat. Four Great Lakes drain through the Niagara River and spill over Niagara Falls. The volume of water varies depending on the season and how much water is being diverted through power plants, but 700,000 gallons per second is not unusual for summer. That’s a lot of water. There are actually three waterfalls at Niagara Falls, forming a giant arc across the Niagara gorge. The widest, at 2,200 feet, is Horseshoe Falls, forming the border between Canada and the US. Its plunge basin is deeper than the height of the waterfall you can view. In Niagara Reservation State Park, between Goat Island and Luna Island sits a narrow strand of falls called Bridal Veil Falls. Between Luna Island and mainland US is the 1,060-feet wide American Falls.