Is Niagara Falls Canada or USA?

Overlooking the Niagara Falls Horseshoe Falls in a sunny day in autumn foliage season. Niagara Falls City

Is Niagara Falls Canada or USA?

Niagara Falls is located on the Niagara River which connects Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

Three different waterfalls namely American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Horseshoe Falls are collectively called Niagara Falls.

However, American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are located in New York, USA. While Horseshoe Falls is located in Ontario, Canada.

These waterfalls mark the border between New York State in the USA and Ontario in Canada.

The majority of Niagara Falls comprises American Falls located on the American side of the border.

The Horseshoe Falls is on the Canadian side.

Bridal Veil Falls is a smaller waterfall that separates from the American Falls by geo-natural forces.

 

American Falls

Horseshoe Falls is located between Goat Island and Table Rock. It stands at a height of 170 feet with a crestline of 2198 feet. The estimated flow rate is 168000 cubic meters.

Studies and history of Niagara Falls indicate that thousands of years ago, the Falls was 11 km downstream from its current spot.

Thereafter the water diversions have spread out more evenly reducing the erosion in Niagara Falls. The Canadian Horseshoe Falls is also a great source of hydraulic power.

The American Falls is located between Prospect Point and Luna Island and stands at a height of 180 feet. It has a crestline of 1075 feet.

The estimated water flow is 75,000 gallons per second. The recent notable rock fall was in the year 1954 at Prospect Point.

Recent research studies concluded that American Falls will transform into a succession of descending rapids due to natural forces of erosion.

The high flow rate of water causes the fall of large sections of bedrock in the American Falls, composed of soft shale and limestone.

Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls

The Bridal Veil Falls is located right to the American Falls separated by Luna Island. It is also known as Luna Falls and Iris Falls. The height of Bridal Veil Falls is 181 feet.

It is a relatively small waterfall when compared to its two counterparts. The waterfall looks like a ‘Bridal Veil’ and thus the name Bridal Veil Falls.

So next time when someone asks, is Niagara Falls Canada or USA?

You now know the answer!