Little River Falls, Alabama
Little River Falls is a 14m high waterfall situated within the Little River Canyon National Preserve in the US State of Alabama. This waterfall recorded a water flow of over 11,000 cubic feet per second on April 8, 2014. The Little River Falls is located within Alabama's Cherokee and DeKalb Counties.
Geography Of Little River Falls
The Little River Falls is a part of the wider Little River Canyon National Preserve and is situated along Alabama State Route 35, approximately 167 km from Birmingham, Alabama, 143 km from Huntsville, Alabama, and 263 km from the state capital Montgomery. Little River Falls feeds into the Little River Canyon, which is approximately 182 m deep. The nearest city to the preserve is Fort Payne, Alabama.
The climate of the area is characterized by warm summers and cool winters. Cherokee County, Alabama, gets approximately 53 inches of rain annually, significantly more than the US average of 38 inches. Northern Alabama, where the falls and preserve are situated, is home to the Appalachian Cottontail, an endangered species of Rabbit. The dangerous Brown Recluse Spider can be found in Northern Alabama as well.
History Of Little River Falls
Hernando de Soto and Tristan de Luna in the 16th century were the first known European settlers to see the Little River Falls. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the falls became instrumental in providing power to nearby communities in Northern Alabama. The most significant settlement was Edna Hill, which relied directly on power and water from Little River Falls and the Little River Canyon. That area has since become depopulated, and the preserve around the falls has become an important Alabama nature reserve and exploration spot.
Layout Of Little River Falls
The area around Little River Falls has large parking lots for vehicles, with restrooms situated in the center. There are multiple paths along the boardwalk near the falls. There is a 4km trail after the boardwalk leading to the observation deck; the latter part of the trail is littered with steep rock formations. There is also a bridge overlooking the falls that one can utilize.
