On July 16, a man from Western North Carolina jumped off the top of Elk River Falls in the Appalachian Ranger District. His body was recovered from the deep pool at the base of the falls two days later. 

On July 21, an Atlanta-area woman was wading in the stream that flows over Rainbow Falls in the Pisgah Ranger District when she lost her footing and was swept over the falls by the current. 

These are the first waterfall-related fatalities in the Pisgah and Appalachian ranger districts this year, but there have been several others on nearby state and private waterfalls, as well as numerous non-fatal injuries. 

When visiting a waterfall, remember: 

• It’s best to enjoy waterfalls from a safe distance — always heed warning signs indicating danger and stay on established trails. 
• Never climb around waterfalls or play in the water above one — rocks can be slippery and currents near waterfalls can be quite swift. 
• Never jump off waterfalls or dive into pools at the base of the falls, as rocks and logs can be hidden beneath the surface and swirling currents can drag you underwater. 
• Don’t use the fact that someone else has just performed a stunt on a waterfall as permission to try. Waterfalls are constantly changing with varying flows and erosion of rocks, so conditions can change from one moment to the next.