turismo ·
Cataracts with exceptional flow: what to expect this week
Guia 3 newsroom · edited by Annie GrellmannPortuguêsEspañol
The flow of the Iguaçu River is at 7,589 m³/s, almost 5 times the historic average of 1,500 m³/s.
Today's measurement shows the Iguaçu River at 7,589 m³/s, which is approximately 5 times the historic average of 1,500 m³/s (or 1.5 million liters per second). This flow is classified as exceptional, far above the level considered normal.
When flow is this high, the Argentine park usually closes the Garganta del Diablo preventively when the flow exceeds 6,500 m³/s – which happened on 07/02/2026. Although the flood does not close the entire park, there is a risk of temporary closure of the final walkway of the Garganta del Diablo for safety reasons; the viewpoints remain open. It is recommended to confirm circuit status on the official Cataratas website before heading out.
High-flow water takes on a brown hue, coming from sediment carried by rains in the basin, and does not indicate dirt. To put it in perspective, the current equals about 3 Olympic-size swimming pools dropping per second or 759 water-truck loads per second. In roughly 6 seconds, it matches the daily water consumption of the entire population of Foz do Iguaçu (285,000 residents).
The trend is a 3.5% decline over the next 7 days, but the recent range varies between 3,213 and 8,390 m³/s. Even with the decrease, the flow remains far above average, which may affect the visitor experience.
What this means for you: expect an impressive volume of water, possibly with the Garganta del Diablo walkway closed; check real-time status at /cataratas-hoje before you go, bring waterproof clothing, and be ready for photos with powerful water.
Read also: Are the Iguaçu Falls open today?
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Garganta del Diablo walkway closed?
- The decision to close the walkway depends on the park; closures are common when flow exceeds 6,500 m³/s, so check the status at /cataratas-hoje before you go.
- Does brown water indicate dirt?
- No, the brown coloration comes from sediment in the rain-filled basin and is normal during floods.
- How much higher is the flow compared to the average?
- The flow of 7,589 m³/s is almost 5 times the historic average of 1,500 m³/s.
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Content verified by the newsroom based on an official source: Dados Guia 3 · ANA. Last checked: 11/10/2026. Found something inaccurate? We fix it fast. How we work.
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