Dam Ri is a word in the Co ho language. It means "waiting." It is the com­bined names of two lovers,Dam and H'Ri. According to legend, H'Ri often came here to bathe when the waterfall was much smaller. One day, Dam (sometimes also called Kdam) came to the stream during a hunt. When he cast his eyes upon H'Ri bathing, he was mes­merized by her beauty. Dam and H'Ri eventually fell in love and got married.

One day, Dam went hunting in the forest and did not return. H'Ri waited and waited for her hus­band's return. She wept so much and so long that her tears created a stream that formed a large waterfall.

Eventuallly, Dam returned. But after he was told about his wife's despair, he went to the stream and jumped in to demonstrate his loyal­ty. His body turned into a lion. Standing by the water-fall, you can see a lion-shaped rock at its bed. People say it is the young Dam crying over his dead wife. That's why the Co ho named the waterfall Dam H'Ri, which is now mispro­nounced as Dam Ri.