Lower Klahanie Falls

Bear Creek is the first major tributary to the Baker River (though technically Lake Shannon at this point) which the Baker Lake Road crosses. The stream is quite unassuming at the bridge, but about a half mile downstream it begins a tumultuous tumble, dropping over four major waterfalls in a little over half a mile. The final of the four waterfalls is a sluicing cascade dropping 72 feet just a stone's throw downstream from the more pronounced Bear Creek Falls. Though the waterfall itself isn't terribly interesting, immediately adjacent to the falls is the remains of an abandoned power house once driven by the waters of Bear Creek. The Penstocks feeding the turbine can be seen still attached to the adjacent cliff, the turbine itself is sitting exposed on the foundation and many other pieces of rusting junk lay scattered about. Two steel high tension towers also loom above the site, still visually in quite good condition. With all the decaying material around, visitors to this waterfall should exercise more caution than usual.Bear Creek appears to have been incorporated into no less than three hydro stations along its descent to Lake Shannon, all of which were likely in operation in the early years of the 20th century and were abandoned when the Lake Shannon Dam was completed in 1925. The proximity of this waterfall to the lower powerhouse in the development leads me to believe it was probably recognized by name at some point, but until information to establish this can be found the falls will remain listed using a generic name. If no historical name can be found, a more suitable name will be adopted - either way, this waterfall will not be referred to as Lower Bear Creek Falls for long.