Bedrock step (waterfall)

Position: In-channel

 

Form

Locally resistant bedrock that forms channel-wide drops. Transverse waterfalls >1 m high separate a backwater pool from a plunge pool downstream.

 

Process description

Erosional features formed and maintained as highly turbulent flow falls near-vertically over the lip of the step. Steps are major elements of energy dissipation. These locally resistant areas may represent headward-migrating knickpoints. Equivalent features may be forced by wood.