Horseshoe Falls

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For the falls in the United Kingdom, see Horseshoe Falls (Wales).

Horseshoe Falls, viewed from 16th floor of a hotel on Fallsview Blvd

Horseshoe Falls, viewed from the pathway running alongside the falls in Niagara Falls, Canada

The Horseshoe Falls, also known as the Canadian Falls, is a waterfall on the Niagara River, located on the Canadian side of the border with the United States. It is located between Terrapin Point on Goat Island in New York State, and Table Rock House in Ontario.

The name is derived from its curving, horseshoe-shaped crest that is 671 meters (2,200 ft) in width. At the center of the Horseshoe Falls the water is about 3 meters (10 ft) deep. It passes over the crest at a speed of about 32 km/h (20 mph). The falls is 53 meters (173 ft) high, has an average crest elevation of 152 meters (500 ft) and faces northwards. The depth of the river at the base of the falls is actually higher than the falls itself, estimated at 56 metres (184 ft).

The Horseshoe Falls is considered to be the most impressive of the three falls that make up Niagara Falls. Approximately 90% of the water of the Niagara River flows over Horseshoe Falls, while the other 10% flows over the American Falls.

The falls continually produces a large amount of mist, which renders viewing them difficult. The amount of natural mist has been reduced since the early 20th century by the diversion of most of the water from the Niagara River for hydroelectricity, but then increased in the last 5 years due to new high-rises being built on the Canadian side of the border causing redirection of airflow^{[citation needed]}. It is observable at a direct angle from the Canadian side, and at a steep angle on the U.S. side on Goat Island. The Maid of the Mist boat offers tours which approach the base of the falls.

The Niagara Scow has rested approximately 700 metres from the edge of the falls since it was caught against a rock shoal in 1918, and a plaque today informs tourists of the history of the small shipwreck that has sat perched just above the falls for nearly a century without being dislodged.

In October of 2007, the Horseshoe Falls, lying almost fully within Canadian territory, were featured in a Disney produced video titled Welcome: Portraits of America, made for the United States Department of State and Department of Homeland Security to promote United States tourism.^[1] There was a controversy surrounding the film because instead of showing just the American falls and Bridal Veil Falls, they instead focused on Canada's Horseshoe Falls. A state department spokesman described the national wonder as "a shared natural wonder, a gateway for both our countries and anyone looking at the video will understand how proud America is to share it with Canada."^[2]