A waterfall is usually a geological formation resulting from water, in the form of a stream flowing over an erosion-resistant rock formation that forms a sudden change in elevation. Some waterfalls form in mountain environments where erosion is rapid and stream courses may be subject to sudden changes.
Some waterfalls are the result of the action of the water on the underlying strata. Typically, a stream will flow across an area of formations, and more resistant rock strata will form shelves across the stream way, elevated above the stream bed when the less erosion-resistant rock around it disappears. Often a softer layer of rock is below the harder cap rock. Over a period of years, the edges of the cap rock will gradually break away as the softer rock is eroded away. This causes the waterfall to steadily move upstream. Often, the rock just below the more resistant shelf will be of a softer type, and will erode out to form a shallow cave-like formation.
Streams often become wider and more shallow just above waterfalls due to flowing over the rock shelf, and there is usually a deep pool just below the waterfall due to the kinetic energy of the water hitting the bottom.
Waterfalls are grouped into ten broad classes. Other types have been defined but we will stick to these.
Block
Formed by a wide river. The water drops over a ledge forming what looks like a big unbroken sheet. Typically it's wider than it is tall.
Cascade
Is defined by the irregular sloping surface that is beneath it. Basically the water flows over a series of rocky steps.
Cataract
Typically a large and powerful waterfall who's water rushes down with force. Sometimes there are rapids associated with the waterfall.
Fan
The waterfalls from a narrow channel and spreads horizontally, remaining in contact with the steep bedrock. As the water falls it “fans out” get wider as it falls. Similar in shape to Horsetail waterfalls.
Horsetail
The water is in contact the steep bedrock for some of the way down as it falls. These waterfalls resemble a horse's tail, hence the name.
Multi-Step
A group of waterfalls of roughly the same size, each having a plunge pool.
Plunge
The water as it flows over the edge does not contact the bedrock. The water just plunges into the plunge pool at the base of the waterfall. These types of waterfalls do not erode the rock, thus taking longer to retreat upstream.
Punchbowl
The water flows from a narrow opening, then lands in a plunge pool at the base of the falls. Contact with the bedrock as the water falls is limited.
Segmented
The water flows in two or more paths. The water may split further as it falls down the waterfall. Protruding rocks typically cause the water to split into the separate paths. During low flow times all but one path may dry up.
Tiered
The water flows over a distinct series of steps.
How do you know a waterfall's a waterfall?
Since no two falls looks like the next, it's hard to find agreement on what makes a waterfall a waterfall. Most people take into account the vertical height of the waterfall – the World Waterfall Database says that although there's no standard, anything above 10 or 15 feet is worth mentioning. How much the water slopes is also taken into consideration. A waterfall that plunges directly downward will have no problem being called a waterfall, but when the angle of the slope starts to rise, you start to run into problems. The more level an incline is, the closer it is in definition to a river or stream. Other aspects like how much water flows through the waterfall during the year or the type of rock can affect how a waterfall is viewed.
For the last million years several ice sheets have covered this area. As these ice sheets advanced they wore down the bedrock. The immense weight of the ice stressed the bedrock, fracturing it. Around ten to twelve thousand years ago the ice sheets that covered Michigan began to melt. The ice sheets deposited a layer of glacial till on the limestone bedrock. The young Qcqueoc River was able to erode down through the glacial till, exposing the bedrock. Water entered fractures in the bedrock which dissolved more of the rock. Freeze thaw cycles also widen these fractures. These conditions would cause sections of the bedrock to break away, and formed this waterfall.
The logging requirements are as follows:
1.) Post with your log a photo showing your face and GPS with the trail map that is located in the parking area in the background.
Email me the answers to the following questions:
2.) From the above defined waterfall types, which best describes this waterfall.
3.) Estimate the height of this waterfall.