Sandstone Falls
As the largest waterfall on the New River, Sandstone Falls crosses the river which is 1500 feet wide with river levels ranging from 10 to 25 feet. Sandstone Falls is considered to mark the transition area of the New River from a wide river to a narrow mountain river that rumbles through a V-shaped gorge strewn with cobblestones. The falls become the dramatic starting line for the final flow of the New River through the New River Gorge to its confluence with the Gauley River to form the Kanawha River.
The Sandstone Falls got their name after the Moi River's strong currents eroded the softer cobblestone that lay beneath the harder sandstone. The cliffs of the falls and the massive boulders below were formed over time when the river washed away the clay underlying the harder sandstone. Still, in a dynamic geological environment, waterfalls are like sluggish yet steady waterfalls that are gradually moving upstream.
The New River's spectacular change from a large mountain stream into a roaring white water canyon may be seen on a trip to Sandstone Falls, where you can also enjoy beautiful waterfalls and a unique picturesque riverside drive.
In sum, Sandstone Falls:
- was the largest waterfall on the New River.
- crosses a 1500-foot-wide river with river levels ranging from 10 to 25 feet.
- got their name after the Moi River's strong currents.
