Most experts agree that a fall has to be a minimum of 5 feet tall to qualify as a waterfall, and it needs to be fed by a stream, river, or creek that is replenished at least annually, such as by rain or melting snowpack.
Types:
Waterfalls Can Be Categorized by Structure
The beauty of waterfalls lies in the way they flow over varying kinds of terrain, and many can be categorized according to their structure. Among the most scenic are plunge waterfalls, such as Bridalveil Fall in Yosemite National Park, which flows over a cliff without making contact with vertical rock. Tiered waterfalls flow over consecutive ledges of rock; Kaaterskill Falls’ two dramatic drops inspired painters of the Hudson River School in the early 19th century. A block waterfall, like Niagara Falls, occurs when a massive river flows over a cliff in a giant sheet. Horsetail falls make some contact with the vertical rock behind them and create picturesque sprays as they flow downward. Makahiku Falls in Maui, Hawaii, is one spectacular example. Other types include cataracts, sluices, fans, and waterslides.
Links
World of Waterfalls
