Cerberus Falls facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cerberus Falls |
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| Location | Columbia-Shuswap, British Columbia, Canada |
| Coordinates | 51°53′39″N 117°04′19″W / 51.89405°N 117.0720°W |
| Type | Segmented horsetails |
| Elevation | 1,814 m (5,951 ft) |
| Total height | 475 m (1,558 ft) |
| Number of drops | 1 |
| Longest drop | 475 m (1,558 ft) |
| Total width | 198 m (650 ft) |
| Average width | 122 m (400 ft) |
| Run | 213 m (699 ft) |
| Watercourse | Icefall Brook |
| Average flow rate |
14 m3/s (490 cu ft/s) |
| World height ranking | 140th (overall) 26th (tallest single drop) |
Cerberus Falls is a spectacular waterfall found in the beautiful mountains of British Columbia, Canada. It's known as a "segmented horsetail waterfall" because it looks like a horse's tail and splits into different parts. This amazing natural wonder is located deep in Icefall Canyon, within the Continental Ranges.
Cerberus Falls is incredibly tall! It reaches a total height of 475 m (1,558 ft). This makes it one of the tallest waterfalls in Canada. In fact, it's tied with Kiwi Falls as the 8th tallest confirmed waterfall in the country. It also holds the record for the tallest single drop of any waterfall in Canada. Around the world, it ranks as the 26th tallest waterfall by its tallest single drop.
Cerberus Falls: A Giant Waterfall
Cerberus Falls is a truly impressive sight. It's not just tall, but also wide, measuring about 198 m (650 ft) across at its widest point. The water comes from a stream called Icefall Brook. This brook flows from the melting Southwest Lyell Glaciers. Imagine a huge amount of water rushing down from a glacier!
What Does Cerberus Falls Look Like?
The way Cerberus Falls is formed is quite unique. The water from Icefall Brook tumbles over the edge of a deep valley. This valley was carved out by glaciers long ago. Depending on the time of year, the waterfall can look a bit different.
- Seasonal Changes: During warmer months, when more ice melts, the falls can split into two to four clear sections.
- High Flow: When there's a lot of water, usually in spring or summer, three of these sections appear close together. A fourth section might be seen a bit further away to the southwest.
Each part of the waterfall has its own special look:
- Southernmost Section: This part plunges down in three big steps, like giant stairs made of water.
- Middle Section: The water here flows smoothly down the cliff in one long, flowing "horsetail" shape.
- Northernmost Section: This segment drops into a narrow slot canyon. Then, it reappears lower down as a beautiful, flowing curtain of water near the bottom of the cliff.
Cerberus Falls is a powerful reminder of nature's beauty and the incredible forces that shape our planet.
