The amazing wonders gifted by nature to man: Niagara Waterfalls

Among all the wonders gifted by nature to man, perhaps, the most amazing are waterfalls. Their beauty fascinates, their power causes indescribable admiration.

When asked what are the largest and most stunning waterfalls in the world, many will start with Niagara Falls without hesitation.

Really, hardly anyone has not heard of Niagara Falls. But when people imagine Niagara Falls, they most likely picture Horseshoe Falls, the largest and most impressive of the three waterfalls in the cascade on the Niagara River.

Horseshoe Falls is universally recognized as one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the entire world. It got its name from the curve in the face of the waterfall.

2,700 feet long, Horseshoe Falls drops 165 feet into the gorge below. And what is even more impressive is that about 90% of the Niagara River’s water drops over this waterfall.

Horseshoe Falls indisputably holds the world record for the amount of water flowing through it. The enormous speed of the flow at the crest of the waterfall – about 32 km per hour – makes it the most powerful waterfall in North America. The Falls pulls 750,000 gallons of water over the edge every second.

The unique shape of Horseshoe Falls is most easily visible from the Canadian side of the gorge. Nevertheless, if you stand back from the crest of the Falls, you can also get a decent look at its amazing shape.

The major part of Horseshoe Falls is in Canada (only about 200 feet is in the US, and the viewing platform is only about 100 feet from the border). Because of this, some people call it the Canadian Falls.

A large viewing area at the crest of the waterfall extends to the very edge of Horseshoe Falls. This provides great views of the waterfall and into the gorge. Make sure to look for the Maid of the Mist plying the waters of the gorge far below.

The sound of the water, the feel of the mist, and the sight of complete landscape around Horseshoe Falls makes it a top world destination.

Horseshoe Falls is located 1,600 feet south of the other two waterfalls in the park and is separated from them by Goat Island.

Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veil Falls is the smallest of the three in the cascade. And only a very small island, Luna Island, separates this waterfall from its neighbor.

Bridal Veil Falls is about 55 feet wide. The total vertical drop is 181 feet, though the water “only” freefalls for 78 feet before hitting and cascading over large boulders at the bottom of the gorge.

The best free viewing area is on the northern side of the waterfall on Luna Island.

Better views of this waterfall can be had from the Cave of the Winds attraction (which takes you near the base of this waterfall) and from the Canadian side where the view is more distant but head on to the falls.

American Falls

American Falls is the northernmost waterfall in the Niagara Falls cascade.

It is 830 feet wide and has a total drop of 188 feet (though only 70-110 feet of that is a freefall drop, depending on the rock pile at the base of the falls).

There are several good viewing areas for American Falls including from Luna Island and from the viewing area near the Maid of the Mist store. You can also get a nice view of American Falls from the Nikola Tesla Monument on Goat Island.

Of the three waterfalls, this is the one that you can see best from the New York side.

Truly, nature abundantly endows people with its inexhaustible treasures and the grandeur of its beauty for their joyful and happy life on Earth!

By Alex Arlander | ENC News