Very high water at the Falls: what to expect on your visit

The measurement indicates that 5,240 m³/s corresponds to about 2.1 Olympic-size swimming pools dropping every second, or 524 water-tanker trucks per second – a volume equivalent to the daily water consumption of the entire population of Foz do Iguaçu for roughly 8 days. This flow is 3.5 times above the historic average (1,500 m³/s), placing it among the highest values ever recorded.

With water this abundant, the mist on the walkways becomes denser and the spectacle of the drops 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 can change depending on the day's conditions, so check the real-time status on the official Falls website before you go.

The river water appears darker because of sediment carried from the rains in the basin, but this does not affect the safety of the visitor areas. There is no connection to the Itaipu dam, which is on the Paraná River and does not control the Falls' volume.

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

Read also: Why visit Iguaçu Falls?