Lower Cataract Falls is a waterfall on Cataract Creek in Pierce County, Washington, in the Cascades region, with a total height of about 22 feet. It lies about 17 miles southeast of Crocker and roughly 25.8 miles southeast of South Hill as the crow flies.
At 22 feet it is on the modest side for Washington, where the typical waterfall with a recorded height stands around 82 feet; it ranks 844th of 941. The water comes down as a cascade, descending over a series of rock steps rather than in a single drop.
The Cascades are a high volcanic range of snow-capped peaks, deep glacial valleys and dense conifer forest of Douglas fir, western hemlock and true firs, with abundant rain and snow on the western slopes. Basalt cliffs and lava flows give the region one of the highest concentrations of waterfalls in the country. Cataract Creek carries 6 recorded waterfalls; the biggest of them reaches 61 feet.
There are 316 recorded waterfalls in Pierce County. Washbasin Falls, a 24-foot plunge punchbowl waterfall, is under a mile away. Carbon Falls, a 202-foot plunge waterfall, is under a mile away. Middle Cataract Falls, a 61-foot horsetail waterfall, is under a mile away.
Lower Cataract Falls is located at 46.9498° N, 121.7994° W. The listing is based on the World Waterfall Database, one of the sources compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey in its inventory of waterfalls and rapids of the conterminous United States. The creek name is confirmed against the federal Geographic Names Information System. The exact position has not yet been verified on aerial imagery, so treat the map pin as approximate. Details on trails, parking and access have not been documented for this waterfall yet.