The world is home to a diverse range of waterfalls, each with its unique characteristics. People use various criteria to define the size of a waterfall, such as height, width, and flow rate.

Some waterfalls are famous for their height, while others are known for their width or flow rate.

High-velocity waterfalls are popular tourist destinations worldwide. Inga Falls and Livingstone Falls, for instance, have flow rates that exceed 25,000 cubic meters per second. However, there is one waterfall that once had a flow rate double that of Inga and Livingstone Falls.

The Guaira Falls, once the fourth-fastest flowing waterfall globally, vanished.

Located on the border between Brazil and Paraguay, the Guaira Falls reached a maximum flow rate of 50,000 cubic meters per second, with an average flow rate of 13,000 cubic meters per second.

Its average flow rate alone would have placed it among the world's top four waterfalls. Compared to ordinary waterfalls, the Guaira Falls' flow rate was about a hundred times greater.

The reason for the Guaira Falls' high flow rate was the width of the river that formed it. The river was approximately 380 meters wide and narrowed to 60 meters before the waterfall. This natural constriction of the river caused the water to flow at an incredibly high rate.

The Guaira Falls had an impressive height of 114 meters, with the sound of the waterfall audible from a distance of 30 kilometers. Its magnificence made it a popular attraction for people from both Brazil and Paraguay, and it ranked highly in the hearts of locals.

Unfortunately, the Guaira Falls disappeared due to the construction of the Itaipu Dam and its reservoir. The dam's construction disrupted the river's natural flow and altered the waterfall's course, eventually causing it to vanish entirely.

Angel Falls in Venezuela is currently the world's highest waterfall, with a drop of 979 meters. It is also the real location of the famous animated movie "Flying House."

On the other hand, the widest waterfall is the Iguazu Falls, which straddle the border between Argentina and Brazil. The horseshoe-shaped waterfall is four kilometers wide and drops an average of 75 meters.

The Guaíra Falls

In terms of flow rate, Niagara Falls on the US-Canada border is the most famous waterfall globally, with an average flow rate of 5,720 cubic meters per second. However, the largest waterfall group belongs to the Huangguoshu Waterfall Group in Guizhou, China.

The group consists of a dozen above-ground and underground waterfalls, centered around the famous Huangguoshu Falls, forming an extensive family of waterfalls.

A river with a significant volume of water can form a spectacular large waterfall. The sound of the water can travel thousands of meters, and the splashing water creates a large white mist in the air, forming a breathtaking sight. In mountainous areas, streams or springs can also form waterfalls.

Although the water volume may not be significant, the water drops falling from high cliffs, like silk, create a unique beauty.

The greater the waterfall, the more potential energy it contains, making it more conducive to power generation. Many places use natural waterfall terrains to build hydroelectric power stations. After completion, the discharge gate can also form a waterfall, becoming an artificial landscape.

The Huangguoshu Waterfall

Waterfalls are beautiful and captivating natural wonders. They have unique characteristics that make them distinct from one another, and they are essential sources of renewable energy. Unfortunately, some waterfalls have vanished due to human activities, underscoring the importance of preserving nature's beauty.