Most conveniently seen by the travelers on Hatton – Talawakelle Road, the twin waterfalls of St.Clairs cascades over three rock outcrops into a massive pool. The beautiful and most popular fall, located among tea gardens, carries a large volume of water, and is the widest waterfall in the country. The fall is situated over 500 m. away from the road, and one needs to walk down among the tea bushes at a steep gradient in order to reach it.
Located on the Kotmale Oya, this fall will be affected by the proposed Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Project, but for the benefit of the public a limited quantity of water will be released to prevent complete disappearance of the fall. Downstream to the main fall is a second waterfall of 50 m in height called Kuda Ella, which is best visible at the curve near 90 km post. At this point, though far, complete fall of St. Clairs is visible including the last section that was partly hidden.
St Claire’s Falls waterfall will be one of the most effected waterfalls and the Government has ordered relevant authorities that enough water will be released so that the St. Clair’s waterfall will maintain a continuous flow of 47,250 m3 (1,668,618 cu ft) of water for 10 hours and 30 minutes daily, between sunrise and sunset. But the water has dwindled to such an extent that it has lost all its glory now.
The 30m fall forms part of the Maha River that originates from both sides of the Raksawa mountains, and is itself 570m above sea level. The upper area of the fall winds through an area known as Uda Palatha, upstream of which is the Divisional Secretary’s Uduwella GS area, in the backdrop of Apalawatte Pallegama village.
Ahupini / Asupini Ella Falls
