Trickling, Misting, Spraying, Cascading . . .the different types of waterfalls.

 Have we got waterfalls!

The Columbia River Gorge is famous for its falls – 77 on the Oregon side alone, the largest concentration in North America.  They come in all shapes and sizes.  Waterfall watchers classify them into eight forms – plunge, horsetail, fan, cascade, punchbowl, block, tier and segmented.  You can see examples of each of these waterfall shapes on your tour of the Columbia River Gorge & Historic Columbia River Highway . . .

A CASCADE tumbles along a series of rock steps.  You’ll find a fine model by following the trailhead to upper Multnomah falls, near the junction with Wahkeena Trail, #420.

A PLUNGE drops vertically and away from the Cliffside, losing contact with bedrock.  Multnomah Falls is a classic example and so is Latourell falls.

A BLOCK pours over a wide section of a stream.  Dutchman Falls along Multnomah Creek is a block shape. 

A TIER falls, then falls, then falls again.  It has several “tiers” – separate falls that can all be viewed all at once.  Multnomah and Wahkeena are tiered as well as Bridal Veil.

A HORSETAIL looks just like a horsetail.  Dropping vertically, it maintains contact with bedrock.  Oneanta and Horsetail Falls are good examples.

PUNCHBOWLS pour out of a narrow opening in the stream and into a pool.  Pony Falls above Horsetail falls and Punchbowl falls on Eagle Creek Trail features a viewpoint and bench, the perfect rest stop.

A FAN descends from a stream above and is similar to a horsetail but it gets broader or “fans out’ at the bottom.  Fairy Falls & Wahkeena Falls are good examples.

SEGMENTS separate into several parts.  Triple Falls above Horsetail Falls is an example.