In the fall of 2024, photographer Teresa Hepburn returned to one of her favorite places in New Hampshire: Sabbaday Falls, just off the Kancamagus Highway in the White Mountain National Forest. Three years had passed since her last visit, and when she reached the same familiar vantage point with her camera, she was struck by how much had changed. The steady flow she once photographed tumbling over the tiered ledges had dwindled to a mere trickle. In that moment, she realized she was doing more than revisiting a beloved New England spot—she was documenting the effects of a changing climate. 

According to U.S. Geological Survey hydrologic data, Sabbaday Falls reflects trends observed across many New England waterfalls, streams, and rivers in recent decades. Shifting precipitation patterns have contributed to lower flows and greater hydrologic stress throughout the region. Teresa’s paired photographs highlight just how dramatically water levels can drop in just a few years.

The falls are fed by Sabbaday Brook, a small headwater stream that depends on precipitation and snowmelt. Because it responds directly to changes in weather, the waterfall closely mirrors regional hydrologic conditions. While Sabbaday Brook still follows seasonal cycles, data show that low-flow periods are becoming more common and more prolonged across northern New England. This aligns with documented climate-driven changes in precipitation, snowpack, and temperature. 

Historically, snowmelt fed the brook steadily through late spring and into summer. Now, warmer winters bring more rain and less snow, causing snowmelt to occur earlier and reducing the gradual runoff that helps sustain streamflow. Although New England’s total annual precipitation has increased, it often arrives in short, intense bursts separated by longer dry spells. For small, steep streams like Sabbaday Brook, this means faster runoff, reduced groundwater recharge, and longer stretches of low flow. Higher temperatures further compound these effects by increasing evaporation and drying soils.

Headwater streams are often the first to show these stresses. With limited groundwater to buffer fluctuations, Sabbaday Brook is especially sensitive to changes in both the amount and timing of precipitation. Waterfalls like Sabbaday can serve as early indicators of regional hydrologic change—even if larger rivers appear less affected.

Still, the waterfall’s reduced flow is not a sign of permanent decline. Sabbaday Brook continues its seasonal cycles, but what has shifted is the range of variability. Climate change is amplifying natural swings, making low-water conditions more frequent, longer lasting, and more likely to occur in seasons when they were once rare. Given long-term shifts in precipitation, there may be fewer opportunities to see the falls at peak flow. 

Sources: U.S. Geological Survey hydrologic data and NOAA climate records documenting regional drought conditions, altered precipitation patterns, and declining snowpack across New England.

About the Artist

Teresa Hepburn has been photographing rural, urban, and seaside landscapes for more than three decades. Her photography has been featured in dozens of venues and private collections throughout the United States and Europe. In 1992, Eastman Kodak selected her photo submission from more than 150,000 entries to be featured in an ad during the Summer Olympic Games. The photo was used in more than 75 publications, including Time, Newsweek, and People Magazine, as well as in major print ads throughout New York City and Epcot Center.

Always discovering new inspiration in her travels, Teresa's expansive photo collection reflects her ability to capture innovative perspectives that reveal the vibrant layers and patterns of nature across seasons and regions. To learn more about the artist and her work, visit Teresa Hepburn Photography. Teresa’s photos are also featured on our website.

“There’s nothing quite like being in the mountains with my camera, immersed in the wild and capturing nature’s beauty. But some of those moments also carry a growing sense of urgency. When I return to a favorite spot to recreate a photograph, I notice subtle but undeniable shifts—lower water levels, exposed rock beds, earlier leaf drop, trails that feel dustier. These changes aren’t abstract. They’re visible, measurable, and unfolding right in front of us.”

Teresa Hepburn