Lielvardes Rumbina waterfall

East from the center of Lielvarde Town lies a group of fascinating historical and natural landmarks. Among them are two prehistoric hillforts, medieval castle ruins, and a church. However, one hidden gem remains surprisingly little known: the nearby waterfall called Lielvardes Rumbina waterfall.

This waterfall has formed on the Rumbina River. Interestingly, the river derives its name from this very waterfall. In Latvia, waterfalls are often referred to as “rumba,” and “Rumbiņa” signifies a small waterfall. Of course, Lielvardes Rumbina waterfall is much smaller than Europe’s widest waterfall, Ventas Rumba, located in the western part of Latvia.

Lielvardes Rumbina waterfall sits just slightly above the level of the nearby Daugava River. Daugava in this area was dammed by the Ķegums Hydroelectric Power Station in 1939. Notably, downstream from the falls in the Rumbiņa River stands a historical watermill building. It’s plausible that in earlier times, this waterfall was submerged by the mill’s operation.

The waterfall has formed on marl, a type of sandstone cemented by lime. This particular sandstone belongs to the Ogre Formation of the Frasnian Stage, which corresponds to the Upper Devonian period.

While Lielvardes Rumbina waterfall reaches a height of up to 1.8 meters, during high water, it appears less elevated. However, at the same time, its width expands to the full 10.5 meters. In contrast, during the summer months, it narrows down to a mere 2-3 meters wide.