Very full waterfalls: what to expect on the visit

The measurement indicates that 5,240 m³/s corresponds to about 2.1 Olympic swimming pools cascading per second, or 524 water tank trucks per second – a volume that equals the daily water consumption of the entire population of Foz do Iguaçu in roughly 8 seconds. This flow is 3.5 times above the historic average (1,500 m³/s), ranking among the highest values ever recorded.

With water so abundant, the mist on the walkways becomes denser and the spectacle of the falls even more impressive. However, during very strong floods the park usually closes only the final section of the walkway, while the viewpoints remain open. This decision is made by park officials and may change depending on the day's conditions, so check the real-time status on the official Cataratas website before heading out.

The water in the current is darker due to sediment carried by rain in the basin, but this does not affect the safety of the visitor areas. There is no connection with the Itaipu dam, which is on the Paraná River and does not control the flow of the Cataratas.

What this means for you: expect more mist and an even more powerful view of the falls, but plan to arrive early and check whether the final section of the walkway is open at /cataratas-hoje. Bring a rain cover or poncho, non-slip shoes, and if you want clear photos, prefer the viewpoints that remain open even during floods.

Read also: Why visit the Cataratas do Iguaçu?