What’s the highest waterfall in North Carolina? It depends.

Sorry, but it’s just not possible to state objectively that any waterfall in North Carolina is the highest. Why? Read on.

Are we talking about a single drop, or would you consider multiple sections as a single waterfall? How do you do define the top and bottom of the waterfall? Very few waterfalls in North Caroline have an objective top and bottom, so subjectivity necessarily comes into play. These, and other factors, are always part of the equation when you’re rating North Carolina waterfalls based on height.

“I’ve always heard that Whitewater Falls, at 411 feet, is the highest waterfall in North Carolina. Are you saying that’s not true?”

Yep, that’s precisely what I’m saying. I can say with confidence that anyone stating that Whitewater Falls is 411 feet high has done zero independent research and is only quoting other sources. And some of those sources go back many years. I recently saw a post on Facebook claiming the waterfall is 800 feet high!

Long ago there was a sign for Whitewater Falls at the junction of US 64 and NC 281 stating, “Magnificent Cascades Falling 800 Feet.” I suspect the confusion here has to do with combining Whitewater Falls and Lower Whitewater Falls, which is as good distance downstream in South Carolina. The lower falls is often cited at 400 feet high and Whitewater is typically touted as 411 feet high.

(103A-01)

I imagine whoever made that sign didn’t realize that they are far apart and just assumed the “Upper” and “Lower” falls are separate tiers of the same waterfall. But they are two totally different waterfalls.

“So, what is in error? Is Whitewater Falls not really 411 feet high or is there another waterfall that is higher?”

Yes.

My measurements in 2023 using a rangefinder put it at 335 feet. I measured it again in 2024 and got 340 feet. Someone else measuring the waterfall at the same time and using the same instrument would likely arrive at a slightly different figure because of differences in where the measurements are taken at the top and bottom and other factors inherent using this method. I was too far away, especially from the top, to be precise, even if there were an objective determination for the top and bottom.

However, with all that said, there is no way that my measurements were off enough for the waterfall to be anywhere near 411 feet. Could it be 350 feet high? Perhaps. But how about we split the difference between my two measurements and go with 337.5 feet?

That sounds a little ridiculous, doesn’t it? But I’ve always thought 411 feet was a strange number. Whitewater Falls has been cited as being that high for as long as I can remember. I have no idea when, how, or by whom it was measured. Typically, when I see a number like this, I take it seriously. If the measurement were 400 feet, I would assume it was just a guess. But nobody is going to throw out 411 feet unless they have some basis for it. But what could it be? The waterfall is nowhere near that high.

LiDAR map showing Whitewater Falls. Each of those contour lines indicates 1 meter. The arrows show the point I started counting at the base of the falls (lower right) and the point I stopped at the top (upper left). There are 102 lines, which add up to 334.64 feet. (103A-M044)

Counting lines on the Cashiers NC/SC/GA USGS topo map I get 340 feet. But this is an extremely inaccurate method for determining height, even if you had an objective starting and stopping point. Consider that when I count topo lines on Gaia I get 280 to 300 feet.

Using LiDAR data, I get 335 feet. LiDAR is fairly accurate, but there is still the issue of the start and stop points. Even with a contour interval of just one meter, you could easily be six feet off from what you would determine the top and bottom while in the field, and very likely more for some waterfalls.

What’s my final answer? Well, Regis, until someone proves otherwise, I feel comfortable stating that Whitewater Falls is approximately 335 feet high, which knocks it off the list of the highest waterfalls in North Carolina.

“Okay, then, what’s the highest?

It depends.

“Aargh! Can’t you just answer the dang question.”

Sorry, you aren’t dealing with a clickbait influencer here, so you’re gonna have to accept a little nuance.

One of the main sections of Glen Falls, which has an overall height of about 600 feet. (059A-1104F)

Like I said, this question cannot be answered objectively. There are just too many variables to consider. A big one is stream size. Many small creeks in North Carolina fall hundreds of feet but given the size of the stream some people wouldn’t consider them as legitimate waterfalls and candidates for the height consideration.

“Oh, come on, give us something.”

Okay, here’s something. Glen Falls, near highlands, has an elevation drop that is in my opinion approximately 600 feet and it’s on a decent-sized stream. It should be considered as one of the highest in the state. With that said, there are several waterfalls on small streams that fall this distance or more, but some people wouldn’t consider them as legitimate contenders because of stream size and the fact that much of the falling water is sliding and cascading.

“Okay, let’s say we’re only considering waterfalls that everyone would consider as legitimate and we take out of the equation any ambiguities regarding that top and bottom stuff?”

Hickory Nut Falls height chart created by Brian Bockhahn. (057A-33)

Hmm, remarkably, that’s easy. We’re back to Whitewater Falls. I think there are several waterfalls that are higher, especially Glen Falls, but also Hickory Nut Falls at about 475 feet (including the upper and lower portions) and a few falls on small creeks, but if we’re talking about only waterfalls that everyone would consider as legitimate and would have relative agreement regarding how much of the sliding, cascading, freefalling water should be considered as part of the waterfall, then Whitewater Falls is the winner.

“Ha! I knew Whitewater Falls was the King of North Carolina Waterfalls all along!”

Okay, I’m walking away now. Whew!