High Shoals Falls
Encyclopedia
High Shoals Falls is a waterfall in Burke County
, North Carolina
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of North Carolina. The river continues over a series of cascades for approximately 1/4 mile past the falls, where the stream loses approximately 300 ft (100 m) in elevation.
. The South Mountains, carved out of the Blue Ridge by erosion, are a broad belt of peaks and knobs rising abruptly from a deep valley. These steep, rugged mountains encompass 100,000 acres (400 km²) in Burke, Cleveland and Rutherford counties. Water winding through the park to the Catawba River cuts deep into the terrain, forming rugged and steep slopes. Funds to purchase the falls and park were appropriated in 1974.
Four people have died at High Shoals Falls since 1993, including a 17-year-old who fell to his death on June 14, 2011.
Burke County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 89,148 people, 34,528 households, and 24,342 families residing in the county. The population density was 176 people per square mile . There were 37,427 housing units at an average density of 74 per square mile...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
.
Geology
The waterfall is on the Jacob's Fork River, flowing over a large rock outcropping in the South MountainsSouth Mountains (North Carolina)
The South Mountains are an ancient and deeply eroded mountain range in western North Carolina. They are an isolated remnant of the much larger Appalachian Mountains to the west, and are separated from the Appalachians by the Catawba River valley. The range covers approximately 100,000 acres in...
of North Carolina. The river continues over a series of cascades for approximately 1/4 mile past the falls, where the stream loses approximately 300 ft (100 m) in elevation.
Natural history
The falls is owned by the State of North Carolina, which owns and operates South Mountains State ParkSouth Mountains State Park
South Mountains State Park is a North Carolina state park in Burke County, North Carolina in the United States. Located near Connellys Springs, North Carolina, it covers 16,664 acres and includes part of the South Mountains, a branch of the Blue Ridge Mountains.High Shoals Falls is the...
. The South Mountains, carved out of the Blue Ridge by erosion, are a broad belt of peaks and knobs rising abruptly from a deep valley. These steep, rugged mountains encompass 100,000 acres (400 km²) in Burke, Cleveland and Rutherford counties. Water winding through the park to the Catawba River cuts deep into the terrain, forming rugged and steep slopes. Funds to purchase the falls and park were appropriated in 1974.
Visiting the falls
The falls is located at South Mountains State Park in North Carolina. There are many trails through the state park, and the most popular is the High Shoals Falls Loop Trail. Visitors are encouraged to stay on the trail. Absolutely no swimming is permitted near the falls, as deaths and injuries have occurred through the years, primarily to people who swim at the top of the falls.Four people have died at High Shoals Falls since 1993, including a 17-year-old who fell to his death on June 14, 2011.
Nearby falls
Jacob's Fork River has several small cascades both upstream and downstream from High Shoals Falls. Some of these are on State property. Others are on private property.- McGalliard FallsMcGalliard FallsMcGalliard Falls is a waterfall in Burke County, North Carolina.-Geology:The waterfall is located on McGalliard Creek, where it flows over a large bedrock to a lower plunge pool.-Natural history:...
- Catawba FallsCatawba FallsCatawba Falls is a series of waterfalls on the headwaters of the Catawba River, in McDowell County, near Old Fort, North Carolina.-Geology:The Catawba River flows over 2 major waterfalls in a short distance...
- Upper Catawba Falls