Near Cloverdale in Owen County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Cataract Falls

By Duane Hall, May 23, 2014

1. Cataract Falls Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Cataract Falls are the result of oceans and ice.
The limestone outcroppings that form Cataract Falls formed millions of years ago when this region was covered by a large shallow ocean.

Layers of calcium-rich materials fell to the ocean floor.
As layers accumulated, their weight pressed down, creating limestone.
More recently, glaciers extended south into the Cataract Falls area. Ice blocked the natural drainage of Mill Creek, creating a large lake. The limestone bedrock became buried under lake sediments.
Once the glaciers receded north, the lake drained and Mill Creek carved its path across the dry lake bottom.
It cut through the soil deposits until it encountered two limestone ridges. These would become the Upper and Lower Cataract Falls.

Cataract Falls carries the largest volume of water of any falls in Indiana. The upper falls is 20 feet high. The lower falls are 18 feet high.

Erected by Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features.

Location.

By Duane Hall, May 23, 2014

2. Cataract Falls Marker

Note the memorial base near the marker

39° 26.085′ N, 86° 48.832′ W. Marker is near Cloverdale, Indiana, in Owen County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of N. Cataract Road and Owen Park Road. Marker is located in Cataract Falls unit of the Lieber State Recreation Area; the above directions are to the main entrance to the Cataract Falls unit. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Poland IN 47868, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Cataract Falls Covered Bridge (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Cataract Covered Bridge (about 500 feet away); The Ten O'Clock Line (approx. 9.6 miles away); Camp Hughes (approx. 9.6 miles away); Ferry Bridge (approx. 10.2 miles away); Owen County (Indiana) War Memorial (approx. 10.7 miles away); Owen County War Memorial (approx. 10.7 miles away); Owen County Courthouse (approx. 10.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cloverdale.

Mill Creek Above Upper Cataract Falls image. Click for full size.

By Duane Hall, May 23, 2014

3. Mill Creek Above Upper Cataract Falls

View to north from Cataract Covered Bridge

First Drop of Upper Cataract Falls image. Click for full size.

By Duane Hall, May 23, 2014

4. First Drop of Upper Cataract Falls

Second Drop of Upper Cataract Falls image. Click for full size.

By Duane Hall, May 23, 2014

5. Second Drop of Upper Cataract Falls

Marker Overlooking Upper Cataract Falls image. Click for full size.

By Duane Hall, May 23, 2014

6. Marker Overlooking Upper Cataract Falls

Lower Cataract Falls image. Click for full size.

By Duane Hall, May 23, 2014

7. Lower Cataract Falls

The Lower Falls are downstream from the marker

Memorial near Marker image. Click for full size.

By Duane Hall, May 23, 2014

8. Memorial near Marker

Given in memory
of
Agnes Wallace Steiner
by her daughter
Agnes Steiner Stuckey
Thirty-eight acres including
Upper and Lower Falls
on Mill Creek
State of Indiana
Department of Natural Resources

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 499 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on June 4, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.