Brain Dead Falls EarthCache

Waterfall Classification

Types of waterfalls are based on how the water falls or passes through it's course, how much water is flowing, the surface beneath it and the geological processes that created it (geomorphology). These all together form a waterfall's unique shape, it's fingerprint so to speak.

Block / Sheet: Water from a wide river or stream drops over a ledge forming what appears to be a "sheet" of water. Ideally, it is not broken into segments at high water and it is observably wider than tall.
Cascade: Cascade is a commonly used term when referring to waterfalls and rightly so. The term "cascade" comes from the Italian word "cascada" which actually means "waterfall". A cascade type waterfall is defined by the surface beneath it. It is one of the most common as the surface beneath it is irregular and encompasses the falls not classified elsewhere. It is generally water that flows down in small steps or stages. Multi-Cascading is more than one cascade in a row.
Cataract: Another word for waterfall but usually one that is large, very powerful and rushes down with force usually occurring on a river.
Chute: A violent section of water that is forced through a narrow passage due to cliff walls or large rocks. Depending on the descent angle, they may be classified as rapids not a waterfall. Very common in canyons where the water is wall-to-wall.
Classical: Similar to Block, water drops over a ledge but is close to equal in width and height.
Combination: Many waterfalls are a combination of more than one type of falls. At Paulina Creek Falls, you will find curtain, slide, segmented, and scree / talus.
Curtain: Similar to Block and Classical, water drops over a ledge but is taller than wide but not a Ribbon.
Dry / Historic: This type of falls no longer exists with water flowing over it. It is referenced here as some of these historical falls were very magnificent in their time. Dry Falls in Washington is one of these type and in it's day it was over 3 miles wide and had a huge flow of water, the unique thing about this falls was that it only flowed when the glacier lifted up to release the water.
Fan: Water falls through a relatively narrow crest and spreads out and becomes wider as it descends.
Frozen: These falls can be of any other type and it must have ice as a part of the falls. They are spectacular as the ice formations are just as unique as the falls themselves. If the temperature is just right, punchbowl falls will often form a cone in the bowl of water.
Horsetail: Water descends down remaining in contact with the surface most of the time.
Keyhole / Slot: Water pushes through a narrow area before falling. A keyhole is a special slot as it has a rounded part at the bottom of the slot resembling the old fashioned keyholes. Some times the water has forced (eroded) out a part of the rock causing an actual hole water falls from.
Ledge: A geological formation that influences shape of waterfall. It is a cliff that is relatively flat with some width at the top and is vertical or almost vertical. Angel Falls and Niagara Falls are great examples of a ledge. The following shapes / types often result from a ledge.
Overhanging Ledge: Another geological formation that influences shape of waterfall. It is a cliff that the water has eroded under it causing an obvious overhang resulting in the water free falling to the surface below.
Parallel / Twin: Parallel falls happen when falls are side-by-side and fall similar to each other. There can be two or more falls and can be from the same watercourse (also see Segmented falls) or from more than one watercourse. Twin falls are also side-by-side but do not have to be similar in type. Triple and more falls exist as well.
Plunge / Vertical: Water descends vertically without contact with the surface.
Punchbowl: Water falls through a constricted area and descends down into a pool of water. The water "punches" through and falls into a "bowl".
Ribbon: Water descends in a narrow strip significantly taller than it is wide.
Segmented: Pieces of land segment the river (same watercourse) causing the water to fall in sections. Not to be mistaken with different watercourses forming different waterfalls side-by-side as in Parallel / Twin falls.
Scree / Talus: Water flowing over a chaotic mix of rock debris on a slope usually found at the base of a cliff or steep incline. Scree is usually the rocks that are smaller than a softball and talus is larger than a softball.
Slide: Water glides over a single slab of rock maintaining smooth continuous contact.
Tiered / Staircase / Multi-Stepped: Separate waterfalls falling consecutively and in close proximity so generally they can be seen together. Any type of falls can be tiered.
Veil: Water falls over rocks (usually large rocks) creating a thin layer of water that just barely covers it's surface.

Baby Falls - I stopped and watched some kids playing in the water... above the falls. I wasn't sure what the name of the falls were, but watching the young folks slide off the falls, I had come to the conclusion that the falls must be named Brain Dead Falls. After watching the kids for a few, it almost looked like fun. I'm not sure that I would attempt such a thing at my age, or if I would have even attempted this 25 years ago either. Then if that wasn't adventurous enough for these young folks, some of the boys climbed up the large rock on the other side and proceeded to do flips off the rocks. It was fun to watch, but I'm wondering what they were thinking... or if they were thinking. I do not recommend this activity!!! [Reviewer's Note: Please act with prudence and caution while visiting this area!]

Earthcache Target:

1.) Picture requirement:
My intentions are to have you post your picture standing at the falls. If you refuse to post your face in the picture, then each log must have a unique picture for each log. Tilting the picture with a photo program will not be acceptable for unique. Group photos must reference who's picture you are in otherwise. A unique picture must be included with every log if you are not in the picture. .
Email me the following answers...
2. What classification does this waterfall fall under?
3. Explain why you chose that classification.
4. What is the elevation on your GPS?
5. How tall is the waterfall?
6. How wide is the waterfall?