• Pick up trash - this beautiful place is private property! 
• Recoge la basura - este Lugar es propiedad privada!
  
  
• USE CAUTION! The swimming area is shallow and filled with dangerous boulders. 
  Don't be next to be airlifted. Beside the cost of $20,000 plus hospitalization, the chances of falling in the deeper hole are 5%. The water is only 4 feet deep and it is easy to break some bones. Several airlifts have happened in the last few years.
• PRECAUCIÓN! No brinques desde las piedras altas, el agua no es profunda, te puedes fracturar. Varias personas han sido llevadas en helicóptero al hospital, tan solo el costo del helicóptero es de $20,000 dólares.


• Share your photos on FLFR Friends Group on FB. 
• Comparte tus fotos en Facebook en el grupo: FLFR Friends Group 


• Take photos or video and submit entries to the next FLFR's Art, Photo, Video & Poetry Contest!
  Submissions are accepted April 1 - June 30.


• December 2024 - Friends of the Locust Fork River is extremely pleased that the Mardis Mill Falls property on Graves Creek has been acquired by FreshWater Landtrust, whose mission is to conserve, connect and care for environmentally significant land and water in Alabama. FWLT is known as a vigilant caretaker that retains the natural beauty and integrity of its properties while making them visitor-friendly. 
  
  Before 2017, this property was strewn with glass shards, trash, soiled diapers, and discarded plastics. Since 2017, FLFR volunteers have been bagging trash at Mardis Mill Falls weekly and paying for trash pickup services to keep the area safe and clean for the many visitors who come year round, especially in the summer. FLFR volunteers also test the water quality and bacteria levels on a monthly basis. Mardis Mill Falls is now an ALPALS official "Adopt-a-Stream" site. In 2020, with the previous owner's authorization, the Blount County District #2 commissioner assisted FLFR in creating a small gravel parking area for vehicles to avoid blocking the right-of-way of a nearby road. 
  
  FLFR congratulates FreshWater Land Trust! You acquired another beautiful property that will thrive under your care while allowing everyone to enjoy not only its beauty, but also engage in swimming, paddling, and fishing in the waters of Graves Creek and Mardis Mill Falls.

January 2025 (FLT monthly newsletter). Just in time for the new year, FLT acquired a new publicly accessible conservation property—the first outside of Jefferson County! This 23-acre parcel in Blount County is located along Graves Creek, just upstream of the Locust Fork River, and is home to Mardis Mill Falls. The falls are a breathtaking sight as they cascade over sandstone ledges, tumbling into a serene pool with a steep bank. In the spring, the bank is adorned with blooming mountain laurel, adding a vibrant touch to the scene. The falls have long been a beloved destination for swimming, fishing and paddling. 
This acquisition is significant not only for its recreational value but also for its ecological importance. The property is home to the federally endangered Black Warrior waterdog, a salamander species found only in the Black Warrior River basin. Conservation efforts in this region are critical, as Alabama’s State Wildlife Action Plan highlights improving water and habitat quality in the Locust Fork watershed as one of the highest priority actions for the greater Black Warrior River watershed (ADCNR, 2017). 
FLT intends to enhance the property in partnership with Blount County. Plans include trail improvements, increased regular maintenance, and updated signage to inform visitors about safety concerns, such as the falls’ high drops. These efforts aim to protect both the natural beauty of the site and the safety of its visitors. 
Community Support from Friends of Locust Fork RiverThe Friends of the Locust Fork River (FLFR) has been caring for Mardis Mill Falls since 2017. Their ongoing efforts include regular trash collection, water quality testing, and advocacy for the area’s preservation. Their dedication ensures that the area remains safe and enjoyable for visitors year round. 
FLFR shared their excitement about the acquisition: “Friends of the Locust Fork River is extremely pleased that the Mardis Mill Falls property on Graves Creek has been acquired by Freshwater Land Trust. FLT is known as a vigilant caretaker; this beautiful property will thrive under their care while allowing everyone to enjoy not only its beauty, but also engage in swimming, paddling, and fishing in the waters of Graves Creek and Mardis Mill Falls.”
A Rich History at Mardis Mill FallsThe property’s history is as rich as its natural beauty. Mardis Mill, built by Sam Mardis, operated before and during the Civil War, and was one of the earliest grist mills near Blount County. The mill ground wheat and corn, serving as a community hub where families gathered for picnics by the falls. Nearby, a government-owned still produced brandy from locally grown apples.
George and Kate Blackerby, who were in the real estate business, and their daughter and son-in-law, Ouida B. and William T. Kinzey, purchased the property in 1959. Although Blackerby sold a great deal of property in the area, he made the decision to hold onto this land, reflecting his deep appreciation for its recreational and ecological value. He and his wife, Kate, would spend a great deal of time there with their family fishing, hunting, swimming, and exploring the woods. He was passionate about protecting the water quality as well; saved letters provided by the family reveal his attempts to keep an upstream chicken plant from polluting the creek. As stated in the letter below, George refused to sign a request for a “grant of easement” allowing the facility to discharge waste into the water.