World 🢖 Europe 🢖 Latvia 🢖 Kurzeme

Waterfalls 🢔 Geological wonders 🢔 Categories of wonders

Wonder

Dukupji Waterfall (Dūkupju ūdenskritums)

Dukupji Waterfall, April 2023
Dukupji Waterfall, April 2023. / Gatis Pāvils, CC BY-SA 4.0

WorldBlue  In short

A lesser-known natural feature is Dukupji Waterfall. It is located in a region where are no other known waterfalls. This waterfall has formed on a glacial moraine.

20.5 %

GPS coordinates
56.3616 N 21.227 E
Location, address
Europe, Latvia, Kurzeme, Dienvidkurzeme Municipality, Otanki parish, some 90 m from the right bank of Barta River, on Dukupji Brook
Stream
Dūkupji Brook
Height
Approximately 0.9 m
Drops
1
Width
up to 3 m

Map of the site

Travelers' Map is loading...
If you see this after your page is loaded completely, leafletJS files are missing.

WorldYellow In detail

Dukupji Waterfall is one of the “famous” small Latvian waterfalls that in many other countries would be unnoticed. But this small wonder of nature is in a flatland where no one would expect to find it.

Dukupji Waterfall, April 2023
Dukupji Waterfall, April 2023. / Gatis Pāvils, CC BY-SA 4.0

Waterfall has formed on a smaller brook – Dūkupji Brook – that falls into the Bārta River. This is a forested area and the water is colored brown by the tannic acid. This brook was drained and straightened, most likely, in the second half of the 20th century. The new bed of the brook was cut into glacial sediments – moraine.

Moraine is a fairly hard material that consists of clay, sand, and small pebbles. The power of the stream, though, gradually disintegrates the moraine.

Smaller side fall at Dukupji Waterfall, April 2023
Smaller side fall at Dukupji Waterfall, April 2023. / Gatis Pāvils, CC BY-SA 4.0

Most likely, initially the waterfall was near the Bārta River. Now it has receded some 90 m from the river, gradually becoming less high. Every year the waterfall looks different. Thus, around 2000 this waterfall was some 2 m high.

Today Dūkupji Waterfall is some 0.9 m high. In spring the width of the stream in the falls is approximately 3 m, but during the summer the stream becomes smaller and might become dry.

Below the falls on the right side another, smaller stream also has a waterfall.

According to some sources, the waterfall is 2.2 m high and has two steps. In April 2023 there was just one step and it was approximately 0.9 m high. No other step was seen.

WorldYellow Linked articles

View from Turaida Castle, Latvia
View from Turaida Castle / Gatis Pāvils, CC BY-SA 3.0

Wonders of Latvia

Highlights of Latvia are the rich architectural heritage in Riga City, numerous palaces, country houses, and castles.

Virginia Falls, Canada
Virginia Falls / Paul Gierszewski, Wikimedia Commons / public domain

Waterfalls

Some of the most fascinating and awe-inspiring natural monuments are waterfalls or locations where a river abruptly changes its elevation.

Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest - one of the greatest Neo-Gothic structures in the world
Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest – one of the greatest Neo-Gothic structures in the world / Kamil Porembiński, Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0

Wonders of Europe

The heritage of Europe is diverse and endlessly interesting. Incomparably rich is the wealth of European historical architecture, but this part of the world has exciting natural heritage and archaeological heritage as well.

WorldYellow Recommended books

Latvia (Countries Around the World)


Latvia offers complete coverage of this fascinating country, including sections on history, geography, wildlife, infrastructure and government, and culture. It also includes a detailed fact file, maps and charts, and a traceable flag.

Latvia (Bradt Travel Guide)


Touring the peaceful countryside and historic towns of Latvia is made simple with this guide. Travelers will benefit from advice on how to reach long, sandy beaches and quaint provincial villages, as well as a mass of practical information. Fascinating insights into Latvian folklore, customs, language, and cuisine are provided to intrigue the curious browser and provide food for thought for travelers during their journey.


0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments