It has a curving, horseshoe-shaped crest that is 671 metres (2,200 ft) in length. At the centre of the Horseshoe Falls the water is about 3 metres (10 ft) deep. It passes over the crest at a speed of about 32 km/h (20 mph). The falls is 53 metres (173 ft) high, has an average crest elevation of 152 metres (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. It receives approximately 90% of the water of the Niagara River that goes over Niagara Falls.
The falls continually produces a large amount of mist which renders viewing the falls 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. 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 Falls drop about 170 feet (52 m), although the American Falls have a clear drop of only 70 feet (21 m) before reaching a jumble of fallen rocks which were deposited by a massive rock slide in 1954.
The story of Niagara Falls in the 20th century is largely that of efforts to harness the energy of the Falls for hydroelectric power and to control the rampant development on both the American and Canadian sides which threatened the area's natural beauty.
The Journey Behind the Falls - accessible by elevators from the street level entrance - consists of an observation platform and series of tunnels near the bottom of the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side.
The Horseshoe Falls, also known as the CanadianFalls, is a waterfall on the Niagara River, located on the Canadian side of the border with the United States.
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 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.
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