SUMMIT COUNTY, Ohio - Melting snow and steady rain means water levels in rivers and streams are on the rise, and waterfalls in and around Summit County are surging.

Some waterfalls in the area are widely known, while others don't even have official names or established trails leading to them, part of a strategic effort to help protect surrounding habitats, according to Cuyahoga Valley National Park Community Engagement Supervisor Pam Barnes.



Here are seven worth seeing, even if only in photos.



Brandywine Falls, Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Erik Drost, Creative Commons 2.0 Generic

One of the most well-known waterfalls in Summit County, Brandywine Falls is a 65-foot high waterfall fed by Brandywine Creek. The thin layers of shale that make up the falls give it a bridal-veil appearance. The falls can be viewed any time of year from upper and lower boardwalks, although boardwalks are closed during icy conditions.



Parking for Brandywine Falls is available at 8176 Brandywine Rd., Sagamore Hills, which is adjacent to the falls.



Blue Hen Falls, Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Blimoco, Creative Commons 2.0 Generic

Located just outside of Summit County lies Cuyahoga Valley National Park's Blue Hen Falls. The 18-foot high falls are fed by Spring Creek and can be viewed any time of year.

The falls are accessible via the half-mile Blue Hen Falls Trail. The trail begins on the north side of the parking lot at 2001 Boston Mills Rd., Brecksville. The trail heads north -- leading hikers down an old driveway and across Spring Creek via a bridge. After the bridge, the Buckeye Trail splits off to the left, but hikers should continue along the Blue Hen Falls Trail, which veers to the right, to reach the falls.

"Buttermilk Falls," Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Megan Becka/special to cleveland.com

While the name of this tucked-away waterfall isn't official, it's certainly appropriate because of the 20-foot high falls' milky-white appearance, caused by water flowing over thousands of layers of shale.

"Buttermilk Falls" is located downstream from Blue Hen Falls but isn't accessible via an established trail.

"Twin Sisters Falls," Cuyahoga Valley National Park



Mady Stoner

At 70-feet high, the dual waterfalls dubbed "Twin Sisters" by locals are two of the lesser-known waterfalls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, primarily because no established trail leads to the falls, making them difficult to access.

Winter and spring are great times to view these falls, according to Wanderlust in Ohio blogger and photographer Mady Stoner.



"When the temperature drops low enough, the falls freeze and it's really something cool to see. Winter is also great because when it freezes, then begins to thaw, the water flow is pretty strong. The only downside is you're almost guaranteed to get muddy or wet, as there is no true 'trail' that leads you there," Stoner said.

These falls are located near the Station Road Bridge Trailhead in Brecksville.

"Greenwood Falls," Cuyahoga Valley National Park



Mady Stoner

Located on the eastern edge of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and south of "Twin Sisters Falls," the falls known locally as "Greenwood Falls" are 17-feet high and resemble "Buttermilk Falls" because of the many layers of shale that the flowing water cascades over.

These falls are located near the Station Road Bridge Trailhead in Brecksville, but are not accessible via an established trail.

"Contour/Sulfur Falls," Cuyahoga Valley National Park



Mady Stoner

The 40-foot tall falls, called either "Contour Falls" or "Sulfur Falls" unofficially, are one of the most interesting falls in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park because of their curvy shape, according to Stoner.

These falls dry up in the summer time, and are very difficult to reach as they are not accessible via an established trail, according to Stoner. They are located near the Station Road Bridge Trailhead in Brecksville.

Little Falls, Cuyahoga Falls



Sheraton Suites Akron/Cuyahoga Falls

Tucked away in downtown Cuyahoga Falls lies the 25-foot high Little Falls. These falls, fed by the Cuyahoga River, are difficult to view close up (a highway is on one side of the gorge and the Sheraton is on the other side), but can be seen downriver via an old bridge at the end of Prospect Ave., according to Go Waterfalling.

The Little Falls can be seen any time of year. To get a closer look, check out the picturesque Beau's on the River, located inside the Sheraton, at 1989 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls.

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