As long as I live, I’ll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing. September 30, 2012 5:13 PMSubscribe
The World Waterfall Database seeks to become "a complete, accurate record of the waterfalls throughout the world." The two creators each maintain their own websites, Bryan Swan's The Northwest Waterfall Survey and Dean Goss' Waterfalls of the Northeastern United States.Others have also attempted, though some efforts appear abandoned. Although the site is being actively expanded, the list is far from complete, so while you're waiting, here's some other regional waterfall sites to fill in some of the gaps:
Waterfall people have trouble finishing their databases, eh. posted by michaelh at 5:18 PM on September 30, 2012 [2 favorites]
They are still gathering requirements, I guess. Great post! Waterfalls are beautiful. posted by thelonius at 5:26 PM on September 30, 2012 [2 favorites]
They have Malham foss listed, but the cove is mostly dry as water from the tarn seeps through the ground. They should, however, have Janet's foss, which they don't. posted by Jehan at 5:32 PM on September 30, 2012
Man I just think of cataloging Kauai alone and I'd give up. posted by 2bucksplus at 5:47 PM on September 30, 2012
This is a hugely interesting and wonderful post. I have long fantasized about planning the perfect vacation visiting a great selection of waterfalls, including some more remote and hidden ones. I like the smaller, more touchable, woodland falls as much as the impressive giants. I will treasure this; thanks for all the links. posted by Anitanola at 5:58 PM on September 30, 2012
How big does something have to be to be considered a waterfall? For instance, on the Breitenbush River (which you've never heard of) there's a campground and some hotsprings, and there's a baby dam there. Water flows over the dam, and that's effectively a waterfall. It's only maybe 12 feet tall, though, and it had human assistance. I wonder if it counts? posted by Chocolate Pickle at 6:06 PM on September 30, 2012
I was into waterfalls before they were cool posted by smackwich at 6:33 PM on September 30, 2012
Anitanola, I spent a week in the mid-90's driving (or rowing) from one waterfall to the next in eastern San Luis Potosi, and it was maybe the best week of my life. Sadly, I didn't see any good reference sites for the region, but it's pretty amazing. Cascades de Tamul is formed by the Rio Gallenas intersecting with the Rio Santa Maria, but at a 350 foot vertical drop. It's utterly incredible. There are also several resurgences in the area where rivers just issue forth out of the sides of hills & cliffs. Edward James' Las Posas is built around a waterfall in Xilitla, also amazing. Ever since that trip, I've sought out waterfalls when I could, and recently did the Columbia gorge & Silver Falls state park in central Oregon, which is highly underrated. There's 6 or 7 really nice falls there all within walking distance. I was looking for info on it, as I need to attach names to some photos I took when the idea for this post took shape. posted by Devils Rancher at 6:43 PM on September 30, 2012
Ellisons Cave in NW Georgia, US, has a 510' and a 440' waterfalls, both free-falling. Fern Cave, in NE Alabama has a 404' free-falling falls. For some reason, they are never in these lists. posted by I'm Doing the Dishes at 6:59 PM on September 30, 2012
posted by michaelh at 5:18 PM on September 30, 2012 [2 favorites]