Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is a group of three waterfalls at the southern end of Niagara Gorge, spanning the border between the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of New York. The largest of the three is Horseshoe Falls, which straddles the international border of the two countries. It is also known as the Canadian Falls. The smaller American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls lie within the United States. Formed by the Niagara River, which drains Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, the combined falls have the highest flow rate of any waterfall in North America and the seventh largest in the world. During peak daytime tourist hours, more than 168,000 m3 (5.9 million ft3) of water goes over the crest of the falls every minute. Bridal Veil Falls is separated from Horseshoe Falls by Goat Island and from American Falls by Luna Island, with both islands situated in New York. Horseshoe Falls is the most powerful waterfall in North America, as measured by flow rate. Niagara Falls is famed for its beauty and is a valuable source of hydroelectric power. It is a well-known honeymoon and vacation destination for Canadians and Americans and often features in films and other media. Balancing recreational, commercial, and industrial uses has been a challenge for the stewards of the falls since the 19th century.