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Devil’s Throat is the most powerful and dramatic section of Iguazu Falls. On the Argentine side, visitors reach its edge by walking across an elevated metal walkway extending over the Upper Iguazu River.
Maintaining this circuit is an enormous engineering challenge. The structures are permanently exposed to humidity, intense sunlight, changing temperatures and, most importantly, the force of a river capable of rising rapidly after heavy rainfall.
The objective is not to resist nature at any cost. Maintenance teams must provide safe visitor access while recognizing that extreme floods are a natural part of the Iguazu River.
Maintenance is coordinated through cooperation between:
Following major reconstruction work, Argentina’s National Institute of Industrial Technology, known as INTI, has inspected the infrastructure and provided technical assessments before the circuit was authorized to reopen.
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The Devil’s Throat experience involves much more than the final observation platform.
Teams must inspect and maintain:
Every component forms part of the visitor-safety system. A problem affecting the railway or an access platform can require restrictions even if the final balcony remains undamaged.
One of the most important characteristics of the Argentine walkway is its modular construction.
The circuit uses reinforced-concrete pillars supporting metal walkway sections. During an extreme flood, the metal superstructure may detach or give way under the pressure of water and floating debris.
This may appear to be a complete structural failure, but it forms part of the engineering strategy.
If every component were completely rigid, the river’s force could destroy the concrete foundations or cause a wider structural collapse.
The modular design allows some metal sections to be displaced while helping preserve the reinforced-concrete supports. Once water levels fall, damaged sections can be recovered, replaced or rebuilt without necessarily reconstructing the entire circuit.
INTI described this principle following the historic 2023 flood, explaining that the design helps conserve the concrete infrastructure when extraordinary water pressure affects the metal superstructure.
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Maintenance is not limited to major emergencies. Teams perform routine checks to identify smaller problems before they become dangerous.
Inspections may evaluate:
The surrounding river is also monitored because a rapid increase in flow may require preventive action before the structure itself is affected.
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A closure does not necessarily mean that the walkway has collapsed or suffered visible damage.
Authorities may close the circuit because of:
Preventive closures give teams time to inspect the circuit without exposing visitors or workers to unnecessary risk.
Because the falls are part of a natural river system, reopening dates cannot always be predicted immediately.
The Devil’s Throat circuit has repeatedly demonstrated how quickly conditions can change.
An extraordinary rise in the Iguazu River damaged multiple walkway sections in October 2022. The circuit remained closed while teams reconstructed the affected areas.
Before reopening in March 2023, specialists inspected concrete pillars, metal walkways, railings, anchors and parts of the observation balcony. A total of 51 walkway sections and approximately six meters of the southern balcony required assessment after being affected by the flood.
In October 2023, an even more destructive flood struck the circuit.
According to Argentina’s National Parks Administration, approximately 90% of the walkways and the Devil’s Throat balcony were destroyed or displaced. The flood also affected the gastronomic area, restrooms and part of the Ecological Train track.
Reconstruction and technical verification took approximately eight months, and the circuit reopened in July 2024
Reconstruction begins only after river levels fall enough for teams to work safely.
Engineers inspect:
Displaced sections may be recovered when possible. Components that are too damaged must be replaced.
Teams then reinstall the metal structure, realign the walkway and restore railings and connections.
If the flood damages the Ecological Train infrastructure, crews may need to replace track ballast, correct alignment and verify access to Devil’s Throat Station.
The public does not return immediately after the final section is installed.
Specialists conduct structural inspections and evaluate whether the reconstructed circuit meets safety requirements. Only after technical approval can park authorities authorize reopening.
During the 2024 reconstruction, all 99 sections of the circuit were analyzed, including 79 that had yielded during the historic flood.
All work takes place inside a national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Construction methods must therefore minimize environmental disturbance.
Teams must manage:
The objective is to restore visitor infrastructure without transforming the river or attempting to control the natural behavior of the falls.
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Even without major flooding, the environment is highly demanding.
Waterfall spray and subtropical humidity accelerate corrosion. Rain can remain on metal surfaces, while organic material accumulates around joints and drainage points.
Protective coatings, drainage, cleaning and regular replacement of exposed components are therefore essential.
Walkway surfaces must also provide traction when wet because visitors encounter spray throughout the year.
Brazil offers a different perspective of Devil’s Throat. Its main trail and final walkway approach the lower section of the waterfall system, while elevators connect the platforms with the upper visitor area.
Maintenance on this side includes:
Brazil’s Iguaçu National Park is managed by ICMBio, while authorized concessionaires operate visitor services under park regulations.
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Usually, yes.
A closure of the Argentine Devil’s Throat Circuit does not automatically close the entire national park. Other attractions may remain available, including:
Each sector is evaluated separately. However, visitors should always check the current operating status before arriving because conditions can change quickly.
The official park information confirms that circuits may close temporarily because of maintenance, weather or safety conditions.
No engineering system can completely neutralize the force of an extraordinary Iguazu River flood.
A permanent structure strong enough to resist every imaginable event could require massive foundations and alterations incompatible with the protected landscape.
The existing approach accepts a fundamental reality: nature remains in control.
The system is designed to provide access under safe conditions, respond to predictable environmental stress and allow repair after exceptional events.
Before visiting Devil’s Throat:
A preventive closure is not an inconvenience created without reason. It is evidence that the park’s safety system is functioning.
The Devil’s Throat walkway creates the impression that reaching the edge of the falls is simple. Behind that experience lies continuous work involving engineering, river monitoring, maintenance, conservation and emergency planning.
The structure must carry thousands of visitors while remaining exposed to one of South America’s most powerful rivers.
Maintaining Devil’s Throat therefore means more than repairing metal walkways. It means finding a careful balance between public access and a natural system that cannot—and should not—be completely controlled.
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