Forest Falls
Thronateeska Falls
Grady County, Georgia

Highest Waterfalls in America's Coastal Plains

"The Lime Sink"

A waterfall in the Coastal Plains of South Georgia? YES...and it is [was] one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the United States! It is also one of the most unusual. There are no mountains nor significant hills in our nation's Coastal Plains, so how then could this region possibly have a waterfall, much less one that can be called "high".

This is one of the most unusual waterfalls in our nation. The waters of a small creek cascade from the surrounding flat country into a huge sinkhole and disappear into a cavern at the bottom. The sinkhole is one of the largest in Georgia, covering an area equal to the size of several football fields.

The waterfalls have been known over the years simply as "Lime Sink", "The Limesink" and other combinations of that name. I have no idea of where the name "Forest Falls" came from but the first evidence of use of this name comes from some State geological publications. My guess is that the state boys from Atlanta picked the name.

My proposal for a catchy and historic name: Thronateeska Falls -- after the old Indian word for the Flint River -- which created this river valley.

See part 3 for proposed development of this wonderful site.

Forest Falls

ca 1910

Forest Falls 100 years ago. You can see the limestone rock walls of the huge limesink, covered in spots with lucious ferns, mosses and other plants. This is a xerox copy taken from a photo made about 1905-1910 and printed in a Georgia State Geological Survey bulletin. The xerox copy has been partially colored. Note the man at the top left of the falls, sitting on a log with his hat in his lap. You can barely see his red shirt. The photo does not show the entire falls from top to bottom. That gives you an idea of the sheer height of the falls 100 years ago.

Description

The magnificent Forest Falls created by Mother Nature held the title of the highest -- or "deepest" -- waterfalls in the entire Coastal Plains of the eastern United States, covering an area from New York and across the Gulf to Mexico. It was a spectacular falls with a drop of more than 120 feet. Not only was it the highest but it was also the most unusual. For this was no ordinary waterfalls, dropping off high hills or mountains. This was smack dab in the middle of the flatlands of the Coastal Plains. The nearest thing called a mountain is about 125 miles north and the real mountains begin about 350 miles north. Yet right here in Grady County is one a beauty that more than matched the falls in Georgia's mountains.

It was once surrounded by a virgin forest filled with wildflowers majestic live oaks, palm trees, cypress, longleaf pines that scrapped the underbelly of heaven itself, and hardwoods draped with wild grapes. A tiny creek fed from the edge of the Flint River valley's rim and ran through moist wetlands filled with rare swamp flowers. The sweet smell of native azaleas and honeysuckle back then would have made the senses go crazy.

Today, trees go only a few yards from the rim edge. Beyond that, the area is surrounded on the north and west by cultivated fields. A larger tract of woods lies south. The stream bed leading east is bordered by a narrow band of trees and underbrush. The steam was stripped under a federally-financed "reclamation" program in the 1960's. The steam itself was channelized and straightened. Trees and underbrush on both sides were clear cut. This drastically increased erosion into the sink.

More photos ahead...click "Next" at bottom

Support Restoration & Preservation of Forest Falls

This once magnificent falls can and should be restored--with your help. Contact your Georgia state representative and state senator and Governor Barnes and urge them to create a state park for this area and restore these natural treasures to their former glory. Urge them to establish a state park here to preserve these natural wonders and bring new jobs to our region.

You can send a message to Georgia Governor Barnes and let him know of your support. Take time to send him and the Georgia Parks Division and Tourist Division a note

These are links to their contact pages:

Georgia Governor

State Parks Division

Parks Division

More photos ...

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