Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls, large waterfall in the Niagara River along the border between western New York state and Ontario, Canada. A world-famous spectacle and an important source of hydroelectric power, the falls are divided by Goat Island into the American Falls (1,060 ft/323 m wide and 167 ft/51 m high) and the Canadian, or Horseshoe Falls (2,600 ft/792 m wide and 158 ft/48 m high). The Niagara Gorge, below the falls, is about 7 mi (11 km) long and is noted for its Whirlpool Rapids and Whirlpool. Some 2,200 cu ft (6,005 cu m) of water pass over the falls every second.