Malham has a waterfall!
- Thread starter Stu
- Start date
Pitlamp
Well-known member
Better quality video at https://www.facebook.com/TisDigger/videos/10153720072413070/ and some stills from the photographer at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153720173813070.1073741885.825663069&type=3
Pitlamp
Well-known member
For those who like hard statistics, that waterfall is exactly 70.06 m high. (I measured that drop recently with a non stretch surveying tape.) Lots of people on face-ache are evidently suggesting it's the highest waterfall in England. However, as I type Fell Beck is falling vertically by 89.10 m into Gaping Gill (which I also carefully measured a few years ago). But Malham Cove waterfall may well be the highest above ground waterfall. Then again, I suppose it all depends on how you define a "waterfall" anyway.
Awesome sight though, eh?
Awesome sight though, eh?
NewStuff
New member
martinr said:
Ok, I only knew the quoted height as it's somewhat local. I've never been.
How about this?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pistyll_y_Llyn 91M
or
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil%27s_Appendix
Both are about the same, 90-95M
Pitlamp said:
It's probably glad it isn't
:tease:Cave Mapper
Member
Here's another video, the final shot is impressive:
https://twitter.com/AndyPowell32/status/673585610393821184
https://twitter.com/AndyPowell32/status/673585610393821184
SamT
Moderator
how does all this tie in with this....
http://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?topic=4382.msg61936#msg61936
Does it alter any perceptions of what happens in high water conditions?? I assume folks were out and about walking at the top, checking the sinks etc?
http://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?topic=4382.msg61936#msg61936
Does it alter any perceptions of what happens in high water conditions?? I assume folks were out and about walking at the top, checking the sinks etc?
A photograph taken from the top of the cove http://snappa.static.pressassociation.io/assets/2015/12/07124906/1449492543-789340bc1e0abdfbb2438bd6a6de1b43-1366x2053.jpg
Pitlamp
Well-known member
glyders said:
Nothing.
The reason for this unusual phenomenon is because the underground catchment for the Tarn is huge. It's almost purely autogenic ("percolation water") and it's totally a separate karst system from the one emerging at the Cove base. Autogenic catchments have the capacity to store huge volumes of water. Remember the exceptionally wet November we've had? Storm Desmond didn't drop anywhere near the amounts of water on the Malham area as it did around Ingleton or on the Cumbrian side of the Dales. But it was the straw which broke the hydrological camel's back and allowed a huge flood to hit the Tarn (then travelling on down the Watlowes valley).
If you look at all the images which have surfaced, the river emerging from the Cove base isn't that big. (I've seen it far worse, many times.) It was the very special circumstances which occurred in a separate catchment further north which caused this amazing waterfall to appear at the Cove. The volume was just too much for all the sinks down the Watlowes valley to absorb, so it made it all the way to the Cove.
Fantastic natural spectacle though, eh?
Cave Mapper
Member
Just heard on Twitter (search Malham) that the waterfall is apparently running again today (Boxing Day), unfortunately all roads to Malham are currently impassable.
cooleycr
Active member
Amazing scenes, bet Bear G wouldn't be so casual about dropping over in those conditions - getting on for 20 years ago (when I was fearless!) I did the abseil and we started from near the tree where the waterfall drops, can't imagine it would be possible with that weight of water falling on you!
