Ice Ice Baby: Frozen waterfalls a highlight of frigid January

Mother Nature carved out a trio of spectacular frozen waterfalls locally during the month of January. Arctic air that flowed into Owen and surrounding counties around Jan. 21 produced below-zero air temperatures and blustery wind chills well below zero.

Resulting in the Upper and Lower Cataract Falls, as well as the waterfall inside McCormick's Creek State Park (MCSP) transforming into icy marvels.

While most of us sprint inside once outside temperatures dip below freezing, well-trekked paths through the snow indicated countless visitors had braved the less-than-ideal weather conditions to visit these wintery wonders in all their icy glory.

Identified as the largest waterfall by volume in Indiana, the total height of the Upper Cataract Falls on Mill Creek is approximately 45 feet, while the Lower Falls drops a reported 30 feet.

Although considerably smaller, the waterfall at MCSP is arguably one of the park's most popular features. Evident by the trampled, sometimes icy snow path that extended from the main parking area, along Trail 3, to the falls overlook late one January afternoon.

Cataract Falls State Recreation Area is located off N. Cataract Rd. in northwestern Owen County. The waterfall inside McCormick's Creek State Park is just a short drive east of Spencer off of State Road 46E.