Waterfalls are some of the most visually arresting sights in nature. These freshwater features are a testament to the sheer force of streams and rivers, which can gradually wear down substrates to create steep drops and deep pools. The turbulence generated by a waterfall increases dissolved oxygen levels in water, aiding in its purification. Oftentimes, the currents are so strong that they can be used to produce electricity.
Though they are awe-inspiring in and of themselves, large waterfalls are always more than what meets the eye. These play many ecological roles, with benefits that trickle down to the smallest and most distant reaches of their associated streams. Apart from being valuable oxygenators, they create a diversity of microenvironments through which nutrients and sediments are transported. As they open up niches for a diversity of animals, plants, and microbes, they also promote genetic variation.
Found all across the US, dotting the rugged landscapes of the Rocky Mountains to the lush expanse of the Appalachian region, waterfalls have ecological, economic, and commercial value. The largest ones, such as the iconic Niagara Falls, draw visitors from all across the globe due to their visual and recreational appeal. The preservation of these freshwater bodies should not only boost responsible tourism but also contribute to the country’s ecological resilience.
The list below provides a mix of stunning waterfalls that stand out in the US due to both their height and volume. Take note that the assessment of the “largest” waterfalls can significantly vary based on the criteria used for measurement. The tallest waterfalls don’t necessarily have the highest volume, and vice versa. Moreover, their volume can change due to seasonal trends in water availability.
1) Niagara Falls (New York/Ontario)
One of the most mesmerizing freshwater attractions in the world, Niagara Falls is a literal symphony of plunging waters. Straddling the US-Canada border, it is actually composed of three distinct waterfalls – Horseshoe Falls (the tallest at 188 feet or 57 meters), American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. With waters sourced from the Niagara River, which starts at Lake Erie and drains into Lake Ontario, it has the highest flow rate of any waterfall system in North America.
During the day, Niagara Falls boasts more than 100,000 cubic meters of water flowing over its crests per minute. Now tapped as a source of hydroelectric power, water diverted from this natural wonder can generate electricity to support the needs of around 160,000 households. It is estimated that more than 28 million tourists view this attraction each year. Many native birds migrate to its surrounding streams as well, benefiting from the wealth of aquatic organisms supported by its flow.
2) Yosemite Falls (California)
Yosemite Falls is found in the scenic mountain range of Sierra Nevada. This incredibly tall waterfall plunges from a height of 2,425 feet (740 meters)! Mainland USA’s tallest waterfall, it is truly one of the country’s crown jewels and one of its most forceful bodies of freshwater. Made of 3 major sections – the Lower Yosemite Fall, Middle Cascades, and Upper Yosemite Fall – it funnels over 2,400 gallons of water per second over the top of its highest edge.
Like many other waterfalls in temperate regions, Yosemite Falls has water flow levels that change drastically through the seasons. In late summer, it may have no water at all as its source, Yosemite Creek, loses a drastic portion of its volume. The best time to view the falls is in late spring, when its waters flow in abundance. At the base of the waterfall is a plunge pool that is believed, by Yosemite Valley’s native people, to be home to spirits with mystical powers.
3) Shoshone Falls (Idaho)
Shoshone Falls commands attention as one of south-central Idaho’s most iconic and breathtaking natural wonders. Located on Snake River, it is fondly referred to by locals as the “Niagara of the West”. With a height of 212 feet (65 meters), it is even taller than Niagara’s Horseshoe Falls. Given its width of approximately 984 feet (300 meters), it facilitates a flow rate of about 20,000 cubic feet per second during the wettest periods of the year.
Before water flows past the rim of Shoshone Falls, it gushes through a bottleneck and over a complex arrangement of islands. Depending on the volume moving towards the edge of the cliff, the water may appear to be a singular show of force (with the same width as its source river) or be split into several narrower drops. Unfortunately, due to recent anthropological changes – e.g. reservoirs, diversions – to the streams connecting it to springs and snowmelt zones, its volume has dropped.
Shoshone Falls acts as an ecological barrier preventing the upstream movement of migratory fish. Markedly similar niches found above and below the falls tend to be occupied by different species. As it is simply impossible for them to scale the plummeting waters, many spawning fish from distant locations tend to congregate at the foot of the falls. For this reason, native tribes around the area have valued the falls as a central source of food.
4) Multnomah Falls (Oregon)
One of the most stunning aquatic features one can view from a national highway, the Multnomah Falls is the tallest waterfall in Oregon. A major component of the Columbia River Gorge, it is split into two major drops making up a total height of 620 feet (189 meters). The upper falls section, which was formed at the edge of a valley, makes up the majority of its height. One of Portland, Oregon’s native tribes believed that it was borne out of a young woman’s sacrifice to save her village.
In the Pacific Northwest, Multnomah Falls is one of the most visited scenic regions. Over 2 million tourists drive through Interstate 84 to view the falls each year. Many of them take a trail to the Benson Footbridge, which serves as a 45-foot (14-meter) observation deck above the lower falls. Given the bridge’s rustic appearance, it makes for a fantastic focal point for photographers wishing to capture the entirety of the waterfall.
Lush greenery frames both sides of this natural resource, enhancing its appeal as a verdant oasis. Its waters are great for viewing all throughout the year; in winter, it may look as though it is frozen in time, whereas both mountain rainfall and snowmelt refuel its waters in spring.
5) Great Falls (Montana)
Great Falls is actually the name for both a city in north-central Montana and its series of spectacular waterfalls. Found on the state’s upper sections of the Missouri River, it includes 5 waterfalls distributed over a 16-km (10-mile) stretch. These include Big Falls (also known as Great Falls), Crooked Falls, Rainbow Falls, Colter Falls, and Black Eagle. Big Falls is the final drop of this series, and it also happens to be the tallest (87 feet or 26.5 meters) and the most iconic.
Of all the waterfalls in the collective Great Falls, only one exists as it did in previous times. The Crooked Falls remains the sole feature with a flow that has not been significantly altered by dam construction. Portions of the rest of the falls are now submerged. The Colter Falls, for example, is now hidden in a reservoir found just behind Rainbow Dam. Over centuries, these natural and artificial freshwater systems have shaped the region’s hydrology and riverbed, providing habitats for various aquatic species.
6) Sandstone Falls (Virginia)
Nestled within the captivating landscape of Hinton, West Virginia, Sandstone Falls is perhaps the most recognizable feature of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Accessed by traversing through some of the state’s most beautiful botanical ecosystems, it is set apart by its phenomenal width. This waterfall definitely isn’t known for being tall, but it leaves an unforgettable impression on visitors because its ledge is more than 1,000 feet (305 meters) wide!
As suggested by its name, the falls are formed by New River’s forceful flow over a hard sandstone layer of rock. Over time, its current eroded softer rock layers, creating a persistently dynamic environment with massive boulders and gorges downstream. Thus, the waters surrounding the ledge are known for being very fast and challenging to navigate through, even for seasoned rafters. Visitors are cautioned to remain on designated trails whenever they visit the falls.
7) Havasu Falls (Arizona)
Truly an oasis in its imposing, arid environment, Havasu Falls is a welcome sight for anyone wishing to rest their eyes after days of hiking past layers of rock. An adventurous trip to the Grand Canyon would be incomplete without a trek to this natural jewel. Do note, however, that visitor’s permits are required as it is located in the Havasupai Indian Reservation.
Havasu Falls consists of a single chute of water cascading over the red-colored, limestone-rich edge of a 100-foot (30-meter) tall cliff. Over the last century, its appearance has changed a number of times due to the natural ebb and flow of Havasu Creek. There have been flooding events that caused it to flow in multiple streams, creating a continuous, curtain-like sheet of gushing water over the cliff’s rough ledge.
Known for the ethereal turquoise tone of its waters, this desert waterfall contains high concentrations of calcium carbonate and magnesium. It is best viewed in early spring to summer, during which its flow rate is highest. During this time, the steady supply of water innervates surrounding substrates, creating a verdant shoreline that provides wildlife with protection and food during the warmest months of the year.
8) Willamette Falls (Oregon)
In terms of volume, the Willamette Falls is the largest waterfall system in the Pacific Northwest. An estimated 30,850 cubic feet of water flows over its impressive, horseshoe-shaped ledge each second. Not necessarily known for its height, which is a modest 40 feet (12 meters), it is distinguished by its width of 1,500 feet (457 meters) – practically the entire width of the Willamette River.
Of course, waterfalls with such power will always interest local stakeholders as a source of renewable electricity. Thus, the recent decades saw many industrial developments with anthropological impacts on the river’s ecology. The construction of hydroelectric stations, paper mills, turbines, and more inadvertently affected the migratory runs of many anadromous fishes. Oregon’s Department of Fish and Wildlife has responded to these issues by constructing fish ladders and safeguarding Willamette River’s associated ecosystems.
Today, Willamette Falls is a distinctive and visually refreshing feature in the urban landscape of Oregon City. Tourists can take pleasure in its aesthetic grandeur from several highway viewpoints or from boats that cruise through the river.
9) Kootenai Falls (Montana)
One of the largest undammed waterfall systems in the Pacific Northwest, Kootenai Falls has a remarkable flow rate. The width of its cascading waters easily makes up for what it lacks in height. Though its waters plunge over a main section with a 30-foot (9-meter) tall edge, its 846-foot (258-meter) width of spray, mist, and churning water is definitely what sets it apart. Its width spans the entire breadth of the Kootenai River, which flows from British Columbia and into Montana and Idaho.
A sturdy “swinging bridge” that runs across the river is the best spot from which to view the main section of the falls. The trail to this viewpoint provides visitors with scenic vistas and dirt trails winding through colonies of native trees.
The areas surrounding the waterfalls and river are considered sacred by Lincoln County’s Native American communities. They are home to many increasingly threatened mammals, such as the American black bear (Ursus americanus), mountain lion (Puma concolor), and gray wolf (Canis lupus).
10) Olo’upena Falls (Hawaii)
The tallest waterfall in the US isn’t actually found in its mainland region. Tucked into the tropical landscape of Moloka’i, Hawaii, it is a seasonal stream that dramatically drops over one of the tallest coastal mountains in the world. With a height of more than 2,950 feet (900 meters), the Olo’upena Falls stands as a testament to the sheer power of Hawaii’s volcanic forces. Dense greenery frames and contrasts the misty, white trail of gushing water, creating a dreamlike scene that is visible only to viewers who are lucky enough to charter a helicopter!
Olo’upena Falls is not necessarily the largest waterfall despite its sheer height; it has a markedly narrow width of just 39 feet (12 meters). Moreover, seasonal changes on the island’s north shore may significantly alter its flow rate. Nonetheless, this visual masterpiece definitely deserves a spot on this list as its ecological benefits spread to an extensive range, supporting a diversity of aquatic and terrestrial microhabitats for Hawaii’s unique flora and fauna.
