Upper Cataract Falls

Indianapolis / Cloverdale, Indiana, USA

About Upper Cataract Falls

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Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

Upper Cataract Falls was one of two waterfalls on Mill Creek in the Cataract Falls State Recreation Area west of Indianapolis (apparently, it used to be part of the Lieber State Recreation Area).

This seemed to be the only significant year-round waterfall in the state of Indiana, and it was also said to be the largest waterfall by volume in the state.

Upper_Cataract_Falls_054_10052015 - Upper Cataract Falls
Upper Cataract Falls

There was another waterfall further downstream though it wasn’t as easily accessible by foot from the Upper Falls.

It seemed like the Upper Falls was the bigger of the two waterfalls at a reported total drop of 20ft though if you include the rapids and man-modified tiers further upstream, then we’ve seen claims of 45ft in total.

In a state that seemed to be dominated by flat cornfields, the fact that Upper Cataract Falls existed at all seemed like a miracle in itself.

Formation of the Upper Cataract Falls

A sign here chronicled the geologic process behind the formation of the Cataract Falls.

It started with a layer of calcium-rich minerals (from sea life) settling on the ocean floor as this area was once covered by ocean.

Upper_Cataract_Falls_033_10052015 - Looking down across the brink of the Upper Cataract Falls from near the picnic area and parking lot
Looking down across the brink of the Upper Cataract Falls from near the picnic area and parking lot

The calcium sediments would become limestone from the pressure of more layers accumulating atop the calcium sediments.

Then, during the most recent Ice Age, vast glaciers (most likely the same ones responsible for the Great Lakes) blocked the flow of the drainage of what would eventually become Mill Creek.

This resulted in sediments accumulating above the harder limestone layer.

Then, as the glaciers retreated, the Mill Creek drainage resumed its flow ultimately cutting into the softer sediments.

This process revealed the harder underlying limestone layers, which the water would flow over to become the Upper and Lower Cataract Falls.

Experiencing the Upper Cataract Falls

Upper_Cataract_Falls_068_10052015 - The covered bridge over Mill Creek upstream of Upper Cataract Falls was one of the most unusual covered bridges I had seen as it featured picnic tables inside the bridge itself!
The covered bridge over Mill Creek upstream of Upper Cataract Falls was one of the most unusual covered bridges I had seen as it featured picnic tables inside the bridge itself!

The large parking lot was practically next to the side rails adjacent to the Upper Cataract Falls (see directions below).

We were able to enjoy profile views of the wide waterfall from there as well as its smaller upper tiers as there were a pair of overlooks.

Upstream from the brink of the falls was an attractive covered bridge with picnic tables inside it.

On the north side of the parking lot was a picnic area as well as a playground, which our daughter very much enjoyed.

Upper_Cataract_Falls_041_10052015 - This semi-obvious trail-of-use led further downstream from the Upper Cataract Falls before reaching a spot where I could descend into the gorge and scramble back upstream to get to the base of the waterfall
This semi-obvious trail-of-use led further downstream from the Upper Cataract Falls before reaching a spot where I could descend into the gorge and scramble back upstream to get to the base of the waterfall

Meanwhile, I pursued other ways to check out this waterfall by following an informal trail of use that went into the bush alongside Mill Creek further downstream.

After a fairly obvious trail that descended steeply to the banks of Mill Creek, I then scrambled my way upstream to return to the Upper Cataract Falls.

Once I got in front of it, that was when I got more satisfying direct views as shown at the top of this page.

Given the steepness of the gorge walls, it wasn’t wise to try to take a shortcut to get back up to the parking lot directly.

Upper_Cataract_Falls_044_10052015 - Context of the stream scramble leading up to the Upper Cataract Falls as Mill Creek was in low flow, but I can imagine how much more difficult (if not very dangerous) this scramble would be during high flow
Context of the stream scramble leading up to the Upper Cataract Falls as Mill Creek was in low flow, but I can imagine how much more difficult (if not very dangerous) this scramble would be during high flow

Instead, I just played it safe and went back the way I came.

Finally, even though we technically didn’t need to do the scramble to see the waterfall from its base (resulting in a difficulty of 1 without it), I thought that the experience would be more fulfilling to get that frontal view of the falls.

So my overall excursion took about 40 minutes, which included the scramble to the base of the falls and back (more fitting of a difficulty of 2).

Authorities

Upper Cataract Falls resides in Lieber and Cataract Falls State Recreation Area near Cloverdale in Owen County, Indiana. It is administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit their website.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual subscribers. See Membership Options.
Content is for subscribers. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: indianapolis, cloverdale, indiana, waterfall, owen county, lieber, mill creek, state recreation area



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Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
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