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
Average width	100ft (30m)
Watercourse	Snoqualmie River
Snoqualmie Falls
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	Snoqualmie River below crossing of State Route 522, King County, Washington
Nearest city	Snoqualmie, Washington
NRHP reference No.	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 The owners rescinded their objection and on September 2, 2009, the falls were formally listed in the National Register.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

The Snoqualmie Falls Hydroelectric Plant is at Snoqualmie Falls, currently operated by Puget Sound Energy. It is made of two power houses, Plant 1 and Plant 2. Plant 1 was built in 1899 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. 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 44,000 kilowatts of electricity, which is enough to service 16,000 average homes.

The 1899 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.

Salish Lodge & Spa

Early photo of the original Snoqualmie Falls Lodge at the edge of the falls

The Salish Lodge

The historic Salish Lodge & Spa overlooks Snoqualmie Falls. The original building on the site was erected in 1919. For 70 years, a small inn known as the Snoqualmie Falls Lodge catered to travelers to the falls with comfort foods. Generations of Puget Sound area residents took family outings to the Lodge to enjoy the scenic view, country hospitality, and famous specialty breakfasts. Snoqualmie Falls Lodge was renowned for appetizing and hearty oatmeal and pancakes which used a unique combination of ingredients; the mixes for Snoqualmie Falls Lodge oatmeal and pancakes are still available for purchase and utilize the original recipes.

In July 1986, the real estate subsidiary of Puget Sound Energy (which owned the land) terminated the lodge's lease as part of a major redevelopment project in conjunction with Salish Resorts. The 1919 lodge structure was completely remodeled and reopened in 1988 as the 89-room Salish Lodge & Spa. The fireplace is the only remaining part of the original structure. The dining room continues to be recommended worldwide for its lodging, spa, and multi-course country breakfast.

In Twin Peaks, the building stands in for exterior shots of the Great Northern Hotel.

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 allow pets. At the bottom of the trail is the 1910 powerhouse, not open to visitors, and a view of the falls.

Gallery

• 
  Brink of falls, Spring 1890 - Frank Jay Haynes
• 
  A 1910 hand color photo of Snoqualmie Falls.
• 
  Panoramic view in late March.
• 
  Snoqualmie Falls in mid-March
• 
  The falls in August
• 
  Flood stage flow over Snoqualmie Falls.
• 
  The falls on Christmas 2008.
• 
  As seen from the pavilion above.

See also

• Run-of-the-river hydroelectricity

External links

• 8/30/1902;The Snoqualmie Falls Power Plant
• Snoqualmie Falls Web Site