~ Top 10 Waterfalls in North America ~

[MysteRy]

Top 10 Waterfalls in North America


1. Niagara Falls, USA/Canada   



Niagara Falls, which is probably one of the most well-known and grandest waterfalls of the United States, is the most amazing sight that is somewhat taken for granted. The raw power and sheer beauty of the raging falls are a spectacular tribute to the American lands from Mother Nature. The waters of Niagara tumble right into the strait that connects Lake Eerie with Lake Ontario in New York. The falls actually form part of the U.S and Canada border. The Niagara Falls are not very high only having a 165 foot drop but it is very wide and over 6 million cubic feet over water rolls over the crest every minute. The Niagara Falls was formed during the last ice age when the tremendous prehistoric glaciers receded. The world renowned beauty of the Niagara Falls is what attracts most visitors to its blue waters and the sight of that remains unforgettable.

[MysteRy]

2. Shoshone Falls, Idaho, USA   



The Shoshone Falls are sometimes referred to as the Niagara of the west, is a waterfall that screams raw beauty. The waterfall is actually 45 feet higher than the Niagara Falls, standing at 212 feet high making for a colossal drop. The rim of the waterfall where the water crests over is about 1000 feet wide, with massive amounts of water rolling over every part. Anytime of the year is great to view the Shoshone Falls, but during the spring is the best, because during the summer and fall the water levels are a little diminished for irrigation purposes. Then Shoshone Falls have existed at least since the end of the last ice age, as the Bonneville Flood cut much of the Snake River canyon. It is a total barrier to the upstream travel of fish and was the upper limit for sturgeon, and spawning runs of salmon and steelhead that could not pass the falls.

[MysteRy]

3. Havasu Falls, Arizona, USA   



The Havasu Falls are paradise on earth as some say, a beautiful waterfall hidden away from civilization in a remote Arizona canyon. To set eyes on the idyllic waterfall it takes quite a bit of effort as hiking to the location is the only way to find access to it. The reward is definitely worth the hike. The Havasu Falls are an oasis amongst the harsh dry lands of Arizona. The hike to the falls location is about 10 miles long and many like to stay in Seligman before the hike to the falls as it is the closet town, just under 100 miles away. For those not up to the long hike, a helicopter ride to Supai can be had, followed up by a horseback ride to the falls. The actual location of the falls happens to be on the Havasupai Indian Reservation within the Grand Canyon National Park, where the picture-perfect falls feature a blue-green pool.

[MysteRy]

4. Multnomah Falls, Oregon, USA   



Multnomah Falls is probably one of Oregons most famous landmarks, which has actually been written about many times. The landscape is ever changing and photographs exist from years past that point out some interesting changes that have happened over the years to the waterfalls landscape that are worth seeing. Originally, the waterfall was claimed to be almost 1000 feet in height and the second largest waterfall in the US; it was later determined that it is only 542 feet, plus 69 feet for the second tier drop as well as a 9 foot scramble between the two falls, making it a total of 620 feet and the fourth tallest in the US. Amazingly there are still people today that claim it to be the second tallest. Some try and exaggerate it by adding that its continuously flowing, but that really doesnt matter because either way its a truly more than amazing waterfall.

[MysteRy]

5. Helmcken Falls, British Columbia, Canada   



The Helmcken Falls funnel through a narrow gorge; raging froth then drops one hundred and forty meters from its steep rim into a white water pool. The amazing impact creates a muted roar that echoes throughout the land, and from the lookout, you will be kissed by its light mist. While moving forward, the Murtle River snakes along the volcanic canyon floor below, and you can watch this spectacular view occur. Ranked the fourth-tallest waterfall in the Canada, Helmcken Falls measures three times higher up than Niagara; it is the crowning gem of the Wells Gray Provincial Park. The Helmcken Falls were discovered in 1913 by Robert Lee, a land surveyor working for the British Columbia government. He was so fascinated by the waterfall that he wrote a letter to Sir Richard McBride, governor of British Columbia, requesting that the falls be named "McBride Falls". Although, Lee received a reply three weeks later stating that the waterfall was instead to be called Helmcken Falls.

[MysteRy]

6. McWay Falls, California, USA   



The McWay Falls, which drop almost 80 feet into a beach, is located within a picturesque cove and spilling out into the Pacific Ocean. While the scene is marvellous at almost any time of day, it is a really a spectacular sight if you try to time your visit when the warm glow of the setting sun casts both the falls and the nearby cove in a wondrous yellow and orange. Match that with the special sight of a Big Sur sunset, and it's no wonder why people continue to return to the falls over and over again. As a matter of fact, the waterfall and its location really capture the rugged magnificence that makes Big Sur, California, as most locals say. The falls is located just within Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, so after enjoying the view of the amazing waterfall you can easily go on a quick hike in the park grounds.

[MysteRy]

7. Snoqualmie Falls, Washington, USA   



Snoqualmie Falls is by far the most famous waterfall in Washington, taking in over 1.5 million visitors every year. The Snoqualmie Falls Hydroelectric project that operates just below the falls, first opened in the early 1900s, the hydro power station was built by Puget Power. During regular flows, most of the river is diverted into channels that generate electricity, but when the snow is melting in the mountains or during the annual early winter floods which happen in western Washington with almost pinpoint consistency, the falls actually spread out across the entire cliff face, almost blanketing the area and can become seriously violent, shaking the ground from the impact and sending huge splashes up to 100 feet away and well above the gorge walls. Mother Nature takes care of itself and the Snoqualmie Falls are testament to that and watching natures natural wonder in action is a quite enlivening event.

[MysteRy]

8. Yosemite Falls, California, USA   



The Yosemite Falls is the highest measured waterfall in North America. Located just within Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada of California, it is a major attraction of not just the park but for all of California, especially during the late spring when the water flow is at its peak level. At a total of 2,425 feet from the top of the upper falls to the base of the lower falls makes Yosemite Falls the sixth highest waterfall in the world, well with the recent discovery of Gocta Cataracts, although on some lists it appears as the seventh but that is not so important. Yosemite Falls is a cascading waterfall having three drops total, dived into three areas, the upper cascade the middle and the lower cascade, all which are inline one above the other. Yosemite Falls may be only the sixth or seventh tallest waterfall in the world but it is surely one of the most stunning.

[MysteRy]

9. Takakkaw Falls, British Columbia, Canada   



Takakkaw Falls is fed by the melting waters of the Daly and Niles Glaciers, also an unnamed lake under the Daly Glacier as well as several small glacial remnants. Takakkaw Falls possess several unique features that set it apart from other waterfalls of the world. First of all is the massive overflow which always happens during times when the flow is heavier. As the river drops from the slot canyon at the top of the main edge, it falls for about 75 to 100 feet before making a tremendously strong impact on a protruding rock which makes the water shoot outwards 150 feet from the cliff face. Also, at the top of the falls, the river tumbles into numerous pools and carved out tunnels before making the final plunge. These features cannot actually be seen, at least without climbing to the top of the 1000 foot cliff adjacent to the waterfall.

[MysteRy]

10. Shannon Falls, British Columbia, Canada   



Shannon Falls is a marvellous, medium volume waterfall running along the Shannon Creek where it trickles and rolls down the granite walls of the glacially carved Howe Sound and connects with the waters of the Pacific Ocean. The falls are usually recognized as one of the tallest in British Columbia; exactly how tall the falls are is believed to be 1100 feet. There is also an upper set of falls a short distance upstream from the lip of the main falls too, which are sometimes referred to as part of the whole. Shannon Falls is also one of the most accessible waterfalls in North America too, being visible from a major mountain highway that is just an hours drive from one of Canada's largest cities. Several trails within the provincial park that is home to the falls, lead to the base of the cataract, giving you a more than perfect view of the spectacular waterfall.