Waterfall

A waterfall is a place where flowing water drops vertically or steeply over a rock ledge. Its height, shape, and flow vary with geology, water supply, and erosion.

River: A natural flowing body of water that usually moves toward a lake, sea, or another river. A waterfall is a feature within a river’s course.
Bedrock: The solid rock beneath loose surface materials such as soil and sediment. Bedrock structure determines where many waterfalls can form.
Angel Falls: A waterfall in Venezuela whose uninterrupted drop is the highest in the world. Its exceptionally high drop illustrates a sheer, sustained waterfall.
Hydroelectricity: Electricity generated by converting the energy of moving or falling water. Waterfall drops can provide elevation change for generating power.
River capture: The diversion of one river’s headwaters into another river’s drainage basin. An eroding waterfall can help a stream extend its basin and capture neighboring waters.
Water erosion: The wearing away and transport of rock or soil by flowing water. Erosion at a waterfall can deepen its plunge pool and wear back its ledge.
River gradient: The rate at which a river channel loses elevation over a given distance. A sharp increase in gradient produces a steep descent in the channel.
Niagara Falls: A group of waterfalls on the Niagara River between Ontario and New York. Its large flow and continuing retreat make it a well-studied example.
Hydropower: The use of moving water to produce mechanical power or electricity. Waterfalls are natural settings for harnessing water’s gravitational energy.
Gorge: A narrow, steep-sided valley, often carved by a river. Waterfall retreat can cut a gorge upstream through resistant rock.

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