Sandy Creek Falls

Sandy Creek Falls is a powerful plunging fall along its namesake creek on the southeast side of Mount Baker. The falls are located at the base of a short but narrow canyon where the creek constricts between cliffs and plunge 36 feet into a deep basin. The falls are a true plunging type waterfall, with an average width of about 15 feet. During periods of the absolute lowest flow, the falls may constrict to as little as 5 feet across or so, but given the volume of water melting from the Squak Glacier which feeds Sandy Creek, this is not likely a common occurrence. Sandy Creek is a large stream, originating in the Squak Glacier on Mount Baker and emptying into Baker Lake. The volume of water in the creek where the Baker Lake Road crosses is augmented by the Koma Kulshan hydroelectric system which diverts part of Rocky and Sulphur Creeks to the powerhouse which empties into Sandy Creek about 2/3 of a mile downstream from Sandy Creek Falls, and not representative of the volume flowing over the falls, but the majority of the volume of Sandy Creek still originates from the glacier. The drainage area above the falls covers approximately 9.5 square miles, so even on the coolest days of the year there will still be ample flow in the creek to allow the falls to appear forceful.