Giant’s Rib Escarpment Education Network’s Waterfall of the Month for May 2016 is the American Falls.
American Falls is located on the Niagara River in Niagara Falls, New York. It is considered a Curtain type waterfall which includes both a plunge section and a talus rock portion. It has a height of approximately 57 m or 188 ft. (from the top of the falls to the river surface) and a straight line crest width of approximately 250 m or 830 ft.
American Falls is one of three waterfalls that make up the world famous Niagara Falls, with the other two being Horseshoe Falls and Bridal Veil Falls.
The American Falls is located entirely in the USA, however the majority of photos are taken from the Canadian side. The attached photo was taken from the Skylon Tower in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
The water flow over the American Falls is about 10% of the Niagara River, thus is much smaller than the Horseshoe Falls (or Canadian Falls), however the American Falls normally is lit up with coloured lights at night making for spectacular night viewing.
To properly visit the American Falls, it is best to view it up close on the American side and then on the Canadian side to see the overall picture.
By Joseph Hollick
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