Mighty falls

The powerful Kuribrong River has many waterfalls – below the Amaila Falls are Waiteur Falls (20 km downstream), Karowa Satowa Falls, and Mona Falls (40 km), Embiparu Fall (80 km), Portage Falls (115 km). But the most impressive by far is Amaila Falls.

Here the immense power of water has carved a ridge in the hard sandstones of the Roraima Formation. The mighty stream is collected in this ridge and then it suddenly falls into the abyss. The mighty stream falls 60 m and thunders against giant blocks of sandstone and conglomerate.

Kuriboring River here has formed a shady, misty gorge. After the main falls the stream flows down along a steep slope. Over the distance of some 3.5 km, the river drops for 365 m (including the falls).

Waterfall serves as a natural barrier for aquatic life – below the falls in the river live 52 species of fish, but above it – only 7.

In remembrance of Amelia

The rainforest around Kuribrong in this area is inhabited by Patamona people. It is very sparsely populated – in the 19th century this was an area of frequent skirmishes and as a result, this region was depopulated.

The mighty waterfall is revered by locals – but it does not have such importance to them as the majestic Kaieteur 23 km to the south.

White people came here for diamonds and gold – but the presence of civilization is not much felt yet.

Waterfall got its current name in the late 19th century – it was named after a local girl Amelia, who disappeared in this forest.

Power plant

Guyana is looking for a possibility to harness its powerful rivers and gain cheap energy. The country is very rich with beautiful waterfalls – thus many locals do not see it as a big loss if one of these falls is lost.

Research of the site started already in the 1970s – but the long bureaucratic fights and political faltering have delayed the project for decades.

Now the officials of Guyana seem to be serious about the project. The planned energy capacity of the power station is 165 MW, costs of the whole project – around 840 million USD.

There will be serious interference in nature – the stream will be diverted, leaving the falls almost dry. The power transmission line will be built through the rainforest towards Georgetown and nearby mines, roads will be constructed.

Well, who are we, Europeans to criticize Guyana – we should look first at what’s left of pristine nature in Europe. But – it’s a pity anyway.

References

1. Amaila Hydropower ESIA Update. January 2011. Accessed on 2 April 2012
2. Maurice Veecock, Presentation on Amaila Hydroelectric Reservoir Capacity.

Amaila Falls are included in the following lists and articles:

This waterfall has formed on Ireng River (Maú River), in pristine rainforest some 90 km west from Roraima plateau.

Waterfall has two major cascades. The upper cascade falls over an overhang, but the lower one has multiple smaller steps. It falls over pink sandstone, which has formed more than 1 billion years ago, in the Stenian period. Waterfall, of course, is much younger.

Ireng River is the northernmost large river of the Amazonian basin and on this river have formed several beautiful waterfalls, including the Orinduik Falls – approximately 25 m tall falls over pure jasper.

On Socobi (Sukabi) River in the same distance from the confluence with Ireng have formed somewhat less tall waterfalls (Ando Falls?).

This area is sparsely inhabited by Patamona people. The nearest village – Kaibarupai – is located 6 km downstream and is rather isolated from any other society.

There is another, much better known waterfall in Brazil with similar Portuguese name – the beautiful Cascata do Caracol.

References

1. Reinaldo Imbrozio Barbosa, Sebastião Pereira do Nascimento, Ari Alfredo Weiduschat, Fábio Bonatto, Notes on an Expedition to the Headwaters of the Maú (Ireng) River, Roraima, Brazil, Accessed on 1 April 2012

Images

Images of this remote area are rare.

1. Living Sculpture by Bruce J. Morgan, General view, Accessed on 1 April 2012
2. Terry Henkel Expedition, Lower cascade, Accessed on 1 April 2012
3. Terry Henkel Expedition, Sight from the upper rim, Accessed on 1 April 2012

Kurutuik Falls are included in the following articles:

Northernmost river in Amazon basin

Ireng River (also Maú River) is the northernmost large river in the Amazon basin. This basin extends just some 70 km to the north of Orinduik Falls, while the giant Amazon itself is flowing some 700 km south from the falls.

Ireng flows through vast savannas and has formed a wide, picturesque valley in Pakaraima Mountains not far from the famous Roraima Plateau. There have formed numerous waterfalls and smaller steps in this river – thus, a beautiful waterfall is located near Uiramutã some 20 km further down the stream but some 40 km to the north is located the magnificent, approximately 100 m tall Kurutuik Falls.

Jasper falls

Orinduik waterfall has formed on sturdy rocks of pure, red jasper – a beautiful ornamental stone. This is not unique – rather many waterfalls in this part of South America have formed on this stone.

The true size of falls can be appreciated from the air. River has many steps before and after the falls. Falls themselves have three major steps and numerous smaller ones. Steps have complex configuration, with an island in the middle.

Name of waterfall originates from a local Carib (possibly – Patamona) name ("orin" or similar word) – which in turn is a name to a plant which grows in the rocks in the stream.

Tourist attractions

The visit to Orinduik Falls often is bundled with a visit to the much more impressive Kaieteur. After the visit to this unforgettable but unaccessible waterfall tourists come to the much smaller Orinduik Falls. Here they are allowed to walk on the steps and bathe in the warm, refreshing water. Water is dark colored by dissolved tannin.

Visitors though should be very careful – rocks are very slippery.

References

1. Johnny T. Cheng, World of Waterfalls, Orinduik Falls Accessed on 1 April 2012

Orinduik Falls are included in the following articles:

This waterfall is located some 20 km to the north from the much more popular Kaieteur waterfall. It is rarely visited – mostly by diamond miners: the first diamonds in Ipobe were found in the 1920s.

Waterfall was discovered on November 29, 1934, from an airplane by American and Canadian expedition.

This area does not have an indigenous population – thus the newly discovered geographical features did not have indigenous names and new names had to be invented. Somehow the waterfalls in Guyana were named after the British Royal Family members.

Geologist H. Bracewell proposed to name the newly discovered "bridal veil" after Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark – she was going to marry Prince George. Princess was introduced to this idea on her wedding day and, of course, agreed.

References

1. New Fall on the Semang River in British Guiana. The Geographical Journal, Vol. 88., No 3 (Sep., 1936). Accessed on 25 March 2012
2. Marina Falls, World Waterfall Database. Accessed on 25 March 2012

Marina Fall on Ipobe is included in the following articles:

Mazaruni River starts high in Roraima tepui. These little-explored highlands are spectacular, with unexplored tablelands – tepui. Diamonds are mined here since the late 19th century.

River before the falls is approximately 300 m wide, it flows in a majestic, wide canyon covered with pristine rainforest.

Mazaruni divides at the falls with an island. The main flow at the falls is approximately 400 m wide, the smaller northern arm is narrower. The river and the landscape change at the falls. Mazaruni falls into a narrow gorge with a majestic, torrential waterfall. The stream is squeezed and is approximately 50 – 70 m wide. Falls have several steps over a distance of 2 km, total height difference exceeds 60 meters.

References

1. Image of falls, accessed on 25 March 2012.

Aruwai Falls are included in the following articles:

Kumerau Falls often are compared to Kaieteur – one of the most magnificent waterfalls in the world.

Geology

Waterfall has formed on Kurupung River, on an escarpment of Merume tableland. Cliff has an overhang with a recess under the waterfall. Falls have eroded the Precambrian quartzite and have formed some 4 km long gorge. In the gorge are located several smaller caves with the rare siliceous stalactites inside.

Waterfall has several smaller steps before the main plunge. Further down the gorge is located another waterfall – Makreba Falls.

Human activities

Around the falls have been found grooves and grinding surfaces – traces of earlier human activities.

Area around the falls is not entirely pristine. Active preparatory works for the construction of the hydropower plant were ongoing here in 1973 – 1977. Road to the base of falls was constructed and geological research was done. Works were stopped due to the political disagreements with Venezuela.

Diamonds have been found in Kurupung River above the falls and numerous miners have sifted the deposits of the river in search of valuable gemstones. Currently, the road is rebuilt and it is expected that more and more people will arrive here.

References

1. Video of a flight along the falls, jonathantack, 2008, Accessed on 25 March 2012.
2. Image by George Bailey, 1977, Accessed on 25 March 2012.

Kumerau Falls are included in the following articles:

This waterfall forms a single, vertical plunge over the Precambrian quartzite and conglomerate cliff. The force of the water has eroded sturdy rocks and has formed an amphitheater that is covered with pristine rainforest.

One of the first white people to see these falls most likely was American entomologist Paul A. Zahl who saw the falls from an airplane in 1935, although it is possible that it was seen by the Geological Survey of Semang in 1927. The base of these falls was reached by geologist H. Bracewell in 1936 who proposed to name these falls after King Edward VIII. King "graciously consented" to this (1).

This waterfall is very rarely visited up to this day – seems, there are no present-day images of this amazing waterfall on the Internet.

Satellite images show that approximately 7 km to the southeast is located another waterfall which is more than 200 m tall and falls into a narrow chasm. Wondermondo does not know the name of this fall.

References

1. New Fall on the Semang River in British Guiana. The Geographical Journal, Vol. 88., No 3 (Sep., 1936). Accessed on 25 March 2012
2. World Waterfall Database, King Edward VIII Falls Accessed on 25 March 2012.

King Edward VIII Falls are included in the following articles:

This waterfall represents a single, 214 m tall, vertical plunge adorning a broad cliff amphitheater. The landscape here still is covered with pristine rainforest.

Paul A. Zahl and G.T. Chislett

Most likely the first white men to reach this (and the nearby Kamarang Falls which have similar size) waterfall were the young American entomologist and physician Paul A. Zahl and English diamond prospector G. T. Chislett in 1938.

Zahl wrote the book “To The Lost World”, describing their adventures in the spectacular highlands of Guyana, Venezuela, and Brazil. Later he became a prominent author, writing many articles for geography magazines and taking great pictures of the natural world.

Erroneous height estimate

Zahl and Chislett made a mistake when estimating the height of Oshi Falls (he wrote – “Utshi Falls”). They dropped large stones and counted seconds while these stones were falling – and calculated that falls are some 1600 feet (some 490 m) tall. (2) Thus Oshi Falls was listed among the tallest waterfalls of the world and often mentioned in different almanacs and books of records.

“Lost Worlds” expedition

In May 2014 an expedition reached the falls. It was organized by a team of explorers and companies, including Bosie Vincent, Patrick Greaves, and broadcast production company “Electric Sky Productions”, with the participation of Monty Halls and Leo Houlding. The aim of the expedition was to produce a new “Discovery” channel series named “Lost Worlds” depicting some of the least explored areas of the world. Vicinities of Oshi Falls definitely fall into this category.

Patrick Greaves writes: “The area was absolutely incredible, truly untouched. However, the falls were far more challenging than we initially predicted. The area around the base simulated conditions close to a hurricane and was truly ferocious and the rock which formed the waterfall was new to even the climbers, like shale rock it was thin and broke away easily. This made climbing extremely dangerous and eventually, we abandoned this attempt and instead descended down from the top in order to see what life lived around the cliff.”
“We measured the falls at being 214 meters in height. The initial view of the falls is slightly misleading and almost forms a natural illusion due to the rock contour lines which create an overhanging cliff face. Our estimates were based on rope lengths, calculations by clinometers, and the use of an altimeter which was calibrated before use.”

Wondermondo expresses sincere gratitude to Patrick Greaves for the information and images!

References

1. World Waterfall Database. Oshi, Salto Accessed on 23 March 2012
2. Paul Zahl. Two Waterfalls in British Guiana. The Geographical Journal, Vol 93, No 6, 1939.
3. Personal e-mail from the son of G.T. Chislett, 12 December 2020. 

Images

1. Living Sculpture by Bruce J. Morgan. Utchi Falls, Accessed on 1 April 2012

Oshi Falls are included in the following list:

Waterfall has one main, vertical plunge, but the image shows, that there are smaller steps at least in the upper part of the falls. Below the falls river flows in a deep, misty gorge.

Kamarang River is large and the waterfall here forms a water curtain, which is more than 40 m wide.

One of the first (or – the very first) white men to see this fall was American entomologist Paul A. Zahl in the 1930s. He wrote that the noise created by the falling water was deafening already before the falls were visible.

Zahl made the first (erroneous) assessment of the height of this impressive waterfall. He considered that this waterfall is similar in height to the nearby Uitshi Falls (Oshi Falls) – and at Uitshi Falls a stone was falling down for 10 seconds. Thus – according to his calculations – Kamarang Falls had to be a bit less than 500 m tall.

Falls are much lower – but nevertheless, this is an impressive natural landmark.

References

1. World Waterfall Database. Kamarang Meru Accessed on 19 March 2012

Kamarang Great Falls are included in the following articles:

The most exclusive waterfall in the world!

Kaieteur waterfall is very special due to the combination of several factors:

• Large height (251 m) – it is five times higher than Niagara Falls;
• Large width and large water volume – average width is 113 m and average volume – 663 m³ per second. Kaieteur is one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world – and bear in mind that most other contenders are lower and without tall plunges.
• Impressive free fall of water. The main plunge is 226 m high. Most waterfalls do not have such a high free fall of water.
• Beautiful scenery – primeval tropical forest around the falls. Many of the great falls of the world have altered landscapes which decreases their impressiveness.
• Feeling of exclusiveness. While most large waterfalls of the world are surrounded by crowds of tourists, Kaieteur is comparatively desolate. General tourists come here only by plane and when they arrive, they are left in private (especially on weekdays) with one of the most impressive sights in the world.

Description of Kaieteur falls

Kaieteur is located in the central part of Guyana Highlands, consisting of several billion years old rocks. This part of Guyana Highlands contains a higher ridge named – the Pakaraima Mountains, consisting of plateaus with steep sides.

Guyana is rich in waterfalls but this region is superior in this respect. Numerous powerful rivers fall here over the edges of plateaus.

Geology

Kaieteur falls over a 6 – 10 m thick layer of conglomerate which overlies a softer layer of sandstone. Rebounding water is eroding the softer sandstone thus creating an overhang. Over time overhang falls down – thus the front of the waterfall is slowly retreating. A major part of the enormous escarpment has been created by this process – it is possible that the waterfall has retreated in such a way for several kilometers.

After the fall Potaro River flows through a deep, 32 km long canyon until it leaves the escarpment.

Size

Width of the river above the falls is approximately 120 – 130 meters. The stream is slow until a few hundred meters before the precipice water starts flowing faster and faster. The depth of the river close before the falls reach 4 – 5 m or, at flood time, even 6 meters. The volume of water is 663 m³ per second.

Waterfall itself is approximately 113 m wide, in flood time – up to 120 m. The basic part of the fall is a 226 m tall plunge.

As the dark reddish-brown water of the tropical jungle river falls down the precipice, it turns into bright white foam and mist. Water disappears into a roaring basin, hidden in an eternal cloud of mist.

Basin is approximately 200 m wide and 100 m long.

At the base of Kaieteur the force of the falling water creates a weird phenomenon – constant hurricane. There are constant waves in the small pond, the air is full of fleeces of foam gyrating chaotically. The wind is pulling the visitors and it seems that the day is grey and stormy. But – as one leaves the base of the falls – it turns out that the sun is shining and all trees stand calmly.

As the water leaves the basin, it gradually falls 25 meters in a short distance. Thus the full height of falls is 251 m.

Potarite

In 1924, while looking for diamonds (with some success!) there was discovered a new mineral in the canyon below the falls – potarite. This is an extremely rare and unusual mineral – a natural alloy of two metals – palladium and mercury (PdHg). Potarite is unsightly – small, heavy brittle grains, consisting of a metallic, opaque silver-colored mass. Later this mineral was found in some more locations around the world.

Another exciting discovery is one of the world’s smallest ferns – Hecistopteris kaieteurensis. This 2 cm long fern was discovered on the edge of Kaieteur in 1997.

Discovery by Europeans

In the late 19th century British Empire had increased interest in the research of the mineral wealth of its possessions. Thus it was decided to investigate closer the little-known British Guiana as well – with attention on the research of rivers as natural waterways.

British geologists Charles Barrington Brown and James Sawkins were appointed to make these investigations in 1867. Sawkins did much work and retired somewhat earlier (in the summer of 1870).

Brown continued his work with excellence. Over six years period, he traveled some 3,500 kilometers by foot and some 13,000 kilometers in a boat, in rivers. The tireless explorer traveled nearly all the rivers of Guyana, made a geological reconnaissance, and discovered numerous beautiful landmarks.

His greatest and best known discovery took place on April 24, 1870. Brown together with seven local men heard of the fall already on April 23. April 24 was a grey day and, as Brown reached the rim of a precipice, he thought at first that the mist is coming from the rain. There though opened a view of one of the most unbelievable sights on the globe – a waterfall of gargantuan size falling deep down the precipice.

There was issued a scientific report “Report on the Kaieteur Waterfall”, published in the "Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society of London", Vol.15., No.2. (1870-1871). He wrote in this scientific paper: "I was much struck with the beauty and grandeur of this fall, and regretted extremely that I could not remain longer to make proper observations of its height, width etc."

He returned to the waterfall the next year and made the necessary measurements.

Later Brown wrote several books, including "Canoe and Camp Life in British Guiana", 1876.

Falls of sacrifice or betrayal?

Beautiful natural attractions, for the most part, take an important role in the culture of local people. Kaieteur is not an exception – it is an important site for Patamona Amerindians. Indians do not want to approach the base of the falls.

There are several stories about the origin of the name of fall. Here will be given two very diverse ones.

Story of betrayal

This story was reported by C. Barrington Brown himself. When Brown after the discovery of the fall spent the night on the escarpment, Indian interpreter told the following story at the fireplace:

"Once upon a time there lived an old Indian at a village above the fall, an exceedingly feeble old man, whose feet became infested with chigoe fleas to such an extent that he gave his friends and relatives an immense amount of trouble in picking them out for him every morning.

So they determined to rid themselves of the nuisance, and accordingly placed the old man in a woodskin just above the edge of the fall, and shoved it out into the stream. The strong current hurried him to the brink and swept him over its foaming water, and he was seen no more.

But not long after, strange to relate, his wood skin appeared at the end of a small island, in the smooth stream just below our camp, in the form of a long slab of rock; while on a slope on the right-hand side of the fall, a large square rock represents his canister similarly petrified.
After this tragedy had been enacted, the Indians named the fall Kaieteur, which means "old-man-fall"." (2)

Story of sacrifice

Previous story is not very well suited to boost national self-confidence. But – there is another one, with more noble events, described:

People of Toshao were endangered by the raiding party of the savage Caribs. There was needed a sacrifice to appease the Great Spirit Makonaima. The old and revered chief Kai sacrificed himself – he took his canoe and paddled over the falls.

Old man and his canoe were immortalized by nature – there is a cliff formation near the falls formed like a man in the boat.

Thus falls got their name – "Kai-fall".

Biodiversity and protection

Surroundings of the waterfall are teeming with life. Here can be met numerous beautiful and rare plants, birds, insects and other forms of life.

Especially abundant life is seen below the falls, where eternal mist has been present for many thousands of years. Valley is covered with cloud forests containing numerous species which thrive in a very moist climate. Trees here are covered with a thick carpet of mosses, lichens, orchids, and bromeliads. Especially impressive is tank bromeliad Brocchinia micrantha, which grows up to 4 m high. Several endemic species of plants have been found here including a fern Hecistopteris kaieturensis. Most likely there are numerous plant and animal species which are not been discovered yet.

One can marvel at giant bromeliads with water held permanently between their leaves. There is even a frog living in these bromeliads – tiny golden dart-poison frog (Colostethus beebei).

Only in recent decades a diversity of life in Kaieteur National Park is conceived and the research in the park is ongoing and constantly bringing new discoveries.

White-chinned swifts (Cypseloides cryptus) live in the enormous escarpment and even behind the waterfall. During their flight, these birds even dive directly through the waterfall. Behind the falls the force of water has formed an enormous, inaccessible cave – thousands of swifts live in this safe habitat.

British Colonial Administration designated a National Park here in 1929 in order to preserve the natural beauty and rare species of plants and animals in the area. This is one of the oldest national parks in South America and the Caribbean. Initially, the area of the national park was 117 km².

After the pressure of the mining industry the park was downsized to a mere 19 km² in the 1970s but then expanded again in the 1990s to protect the watershed and to decrease the impact of mining. Now the park covers approximately 627 km² area. The administration of the park is located in Mahdia town. Most of the park is intact – nearly all tourists are seen only in a few square kilometers around the falls.

Tourism

Kaieteur might be the most recognizable landmark of Guyana. Happily, since the time of discovery, the surroundings of this waterfall have not changed.

Number of visitors differs – but in general here come only some 200 people per month.

Kaeiteur is located in the middle of true wilderness, without roads, or luxury hotels. The high cliff has no guarding rails.

Waterfall can be reached by feet or by airplane.

The walk from Mahdia town lasts three days – and those who did it, often consider this to be their life adventure. When the tourists reach the bottom of the falls, they make a strenuous ascent and are awarded by an incredible sight. There is a possibility to stay in a guest house near the falls.

There is a tiny airstrip near the top of the falls as well – and most tourists come here by air. Tour operators often offer two beautiful falls per day with an airplane – Kaieteur and Orinduik Falls.

References

1. Kaieteur National Park. The website was accessed on 29 May 2010
2. Charles B.Brown. Report on the Kaieteur Waterfall in British Guiana. Journal of the Geographical Society of London, Vol.41, (1871).

Kaieteur Falls are included in the following lists and articles: