Schistes, Chute aux

Chute aux Schistes, or Shale Falls, is the second largest waterfall by height along the Caniapiscau River, and is among the widest waterfalls in North America. The falls drop approximately 18 meters in a fairly uniform plunge / steep cascade formation, but the ledge forming the falls runs in a straight unbroken line spanning 635 meters (2,080 feet) across the river, split in the middle by a small island. Since 1985 a portion of the Caniapiscau has been diverted into the La Grande hydroelectric system at the Caniapiscau Reservoir, removing as much as 45% of the river's natural volume at its mouth.