WATERFALL

WATERFALL, water drop from a steep or sheer ledge in the river bed. Water rapid develops on a less steep (30—40°) ledge, water cascade develops on a stepped ledge. Ledges have tectonic, erosive, karst or other origin. As a result of gradual destruction of the ledge, W. retreats upstream of the river. The speed of destruction and the outline of the ledge are determined by the conditions of occurrence of rocks, forming the bed of the river. In case of significant destruction of the ledge W. turns into thresholds. In Bashkortostan there are more than 20 W. up to 15 m high, including: Asinskiy Mirror Waterfall, Atysh, Gadelsha and Kuk­Karauk.