View source for American Falls

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{{More citations needed|date=April 2010}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox waterfall
| name           = American Falls
| photo          = American_Falls_Niagara_Falls_USA_from_Skylon_Tower_on_2002-05-28_crop.png
| coordinates    = {{coord|43.085|-79.070|region:US_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| location       = [[Niagara Falls, New York]], U.S.
| height         = {{convert|110|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name="world">{{cite web|title=Niagara Falls|url=http://www.worldwaterfalldatabase.com/waterfall/Niagara-Falls-106/|website=World Waterfalls Database|accessdate=28 January 2017}}</ref>
| width          = {{convert|950|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name="world" />
| watercourse    = [[Niagara River]]
| type           = Cataract
}}

The '''American Falls''' is the second largest of the three [[waterfall]]s that together are known as [[Niagara Falls]] on the [[Niagara River]] along the [[Canada–United States border]]. Unlike the much larger [[Horseshoe Falls]], of which approximately 90% is in [[Ontario|Ontario, Canada]], and 10% in the [[U.S. state]] of [[New York (state)|New York]],<ref>[http://www.niagarafallslive.com/Facts_about_Niagara_Falls.htm Facts about Niagara Falls]</ref> the American Falls is entirely within the [[United States]].

==Characteristics==

The falls receive approximately 11% of the flow from Niagara River, with most of the rest going over Horseshoe Falls, from which it is separated by [[Goat Island (New York)|Goat Island]]. It has a straight-line crest width of about {{convert|830|ft}}. If measured along the jagged lip of the falls, the crest is about {{convert|950|ft}} long (but see [[coastline paradox]]). The torrent of water passing over the crest of the falls is about {{convert|2|ft}} deep.

The height of the American Falls ranges between {{convert|70|and(-)|110|ft}}. This measurement is taken from the top of the Falls to top of the rock pile ([[Scree|talus]]). The height of the Falls from the top of the Falls to the river is {{convert|188|ft}}.

Visitors can view the falls from a steep angle on the American side, where it is possible to approach to within several meters of the edge of the falls. One can view the falls from the bank of the river, as well as on [[Goat Island (New York)|Goat Island]] and [[Luna Island]], which are accessible by a pedestrian bridge that crosses the [[rapids]] of the Niagara River upstream from the falls. The falls are viewable head-on from the Canadian side in [[Niagara Falls, Ontario]].

The ledge of the American Falls is shaped in a modified "W" form, caused by numerous rock falls over the past 150 years which have resulted in the huge mound of rock at its base. The most notable recent [[rockfall]] occurred in 1954 with the collapse of [[Prospect Point Observation Tower|Prospect Point]] to the north.

[[File:dryniagara.jpg|thumb|American Falls diverted during erosion control efforts in 1969]]

To survey the rockfall and determine how to prevent the falls from becoming a series of [[rapids]], the [[U.S.&nbsp;Army Corps of Engineers]] blocked the flow of water over the American Falls from June to November 1969. Results conflict as to whether tourist attendance that season was higher or lower than normal. Attendance increases were likely due to the news the cataract was dried off; decreases in tourists could be attributed to people believing both cataracts (the American and Horseshoe Falls) were dewatered. By December 1969, water was flowing over the American Falls again. In the mid‑1970s, it was decided not to make alterations to the rockwall, citing the trend to allow nature to take its course.
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<gallery  widths="250px" heights="220px" >
File:Ice mountain at American Falls (1891).jpg|Tourists on the ice at the base of the American Falls, 1891
File:American falls rainbow.jpg|American Falls
File:15 23 1024 niagara.jpg|American Falls at night
File:American Falls - panoramio (4).jpg|Looking up the [[Niagara Gorge]] across the American Falls
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[List of waterfalls]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.nflibrary.ca/nfplindex/results.asp?action=browse&q=295&key=198 Images from the Historic Niagara Digital Collections]
* [http://www.nflibrary.ca/nfplindex/results.asp?action=browse&q=79&key=198 Art works in the collection of the Niagara Falls Public Library]
* [https://www.history.com/articles/niagara-falls-dewatering-1969 Why (and How) Engineers Drained Niagara Falls in 1969], accessed 8/18/2025 
{{Niagara Falls}}

[[Category:Niagara Falls]]
[[Category:Waterfalls of New York (state)]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Niagara County, New York]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Niagara County, New York]]
[[Category:Block waterfalls]]
[[Category:Niagara Falls State Park]]
[[Category:Landforms of Niagara County, New York]]