Snoqualmie Falls

Snoqualmie Falls
Location	West of Snoqualmie, Washington
Coordinates	47.54192°N 121.83685°W / 47.54192; -121.83685
Type	Curtain
Total height	268ft (82m)
Number of drops	1
Watercourse	Snoqualmie River

Snoqualmie Falls
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location:	Snoqualmie R. below crossing of WA 522, King County, Washington
Nearest city:	Snoqualmie, Washington
NRHP Reference#:	92000784
Added to NRHP:	September 2, 2009

Snoqualmie Falls is a 268 ft (82 m) waterfall on the Snoqualmie River between Snoqualmie and Fall City, Washington, USA. It is one of Washington's most popular scenic attractions, but is perhaps best known internationally for its appearance in the cult television series Twin Peaks. More than 1.5 million visitors come to the Falls every year, where there is a two acre (0.8 ha) park, an observation deck, and a gift shop.

Most of the river is diverted into the power plants, but at times the river is high enough to flow across the entire precipice, which creates an almost blinding spray. High water occurs following a period of heavy rains or snow followed by warm rainy weather. This can occur during the rainy season which lasts from November through March. During high water, the falls take on a curtain form.

For the Snoqualmie People, who have lived for centuries in the Snoqualmie Valley in western Washington, Snoqualmie Falls is central to their culture, beliefs, and spirituality. A traditional burial site, to the Snoqualmie, the falls are "the place where First Woman and First Man were created by Moon the Transformer" and "where prayers were carried up to the Creator by great mists that rise from the powerful flow." The mists rising from the base of the waterfall are said to serve to connect Heaven and Earth.

The falls were first nominated for the National Register of Historic Places in 1992 as a traditional cultural property for its association with the beliefs of the Snoqualmie people. However, the property owner, Puget Sound Energy, objected to the listing. The falls were subsequently determined eligible for listing in the National Register. The owners rescinded their objection and on September 2, 2009, the falls were formally listed in the National Register.

Power plants

Cutaway diagrams of Power Plant 1

There are two hydroelectric power plants at Snoqualmie Falls, both currently operated by Puget Sound Energy. Power plant 1 was built in 1898 and operates at the base of the falls embedded in the rock 270 feet (82 m) below the surface. It was the world's first completely underground power plant. Power plant 2 was built in 1910 and further expanded in 1957, and is located a short distance downstream of the falls. Approximately 1% of Puget Sound Energy sales comes from the plant. These two power plants provide 41,990 kilowatts of electricity, which is enough to service 16,000 average homes.

The 1898 generating system was designated an ASCE Civil Engineering Landmark in 1981.

Namesake town

The town of Snoqualmie Falls was located near the waterfall. It was associated with the Weyerhaeuser mill there. It had many structures, including an hospital, a school, community center, and many homes. When the town disbanded, many houses were moved to the nearby town of Snoqualmie.

Hiking

The top of the waterfall is less than 100 yards (91 m) from the parking lot, which has a gift shop, espresso stand, and bathrooms. The main views are from the side of the falls, with a fence separating visitors from the edge of a cliff. This area has picnic tables and benches, and a small grassy meadow called the Centennial Green, where weddings are performed through the summer. Here, the river trail descends 300 feet in half a mile passing though temperate rain forest with moss covered Bigleaf Maple, Douglas-fir, Sword Fern and Salal and places to step off the trail and rest or enjoy the scenery. Heavy use makes wildlife sightings uncommon. The park does not allow pets. At the bottom of the trail is the 1910 powerhouse, not open to visitors, and a view of the falls. As of 2010, the trail is expected to be closed until the middle of 2013.

Volcano

Geologists recently discovered that the Falls flow over a 20 million year old extinct volcano. A team led by Washington’s DNR geologists recently found that the volcanic rock in the Snoqualmie Valley was more local and younger than previously thought. Until recently, geologists had attributed the Valley’s volcanic rock to Mount Persis, an extinct volcanic area to the north in Gold Bar. A closer examination showed the Valley’s volcanic rock are about 20 million years younger than the 40-50 million year old rock of Mount Persis.

A few key observations helped geologists come to their conclusions. When volcanoes spew lava, gas, and earth, the heavier material can’t travel as far as the lighter matter. The heavier content – called volcanic bombs when larger than 2.5 inches in diameter but can be much larger – acquires a round shape during flight and the subsequent landing. Geologists found hundreds if not thousands of volcanic bombs near the falls, suggesting the center of the volcano was nearby. Also, the entire Falls area is dominated by lava flows and the flows usually don’t move very far from the volcano, according to geologists.

While recent glacial and seismic activity make it hard to pinpoint, geologists are confident the center of the volcano lies very near the Falls. Visitors can see evidence of the volcano by walking down to the wooden platform across from the base of the falls. A careful eye will spot volcanic bombs across the Snoqualmie River.

Gallery

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  Brink of falls, Spring 1890 - Frank Jay Haynes

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  A 1910 hand color photo of Snoqualmie Falls.

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  Panoramic view in late March.

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  Snoqualmie Falls in mid-March

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  The falls in August

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  Flood stage flow over Snoqualmie Falls.

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  The falls on Christmas 2008.

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  As seen from the pavilion above.

See also

• Run-of-the-river hydroelectricity

External links

• snoqualmiefalls.com
• 8/30/1902;The Snoqualmie Falls Power Plant