Snoqualmie Falls

Snoqualmie Falls is located immediately west of the city of Snoqualmie along the Interstate 90 corridor. Exit Interstate 90 at the Snoqualmie Parkway exit, turning north (uphill) and proceed approximately 4 miles to Highway 202, then head left to the falls in another 1/2 mile. Accessible trails lead from the spacious parking areas on either side of the highway to extensive viewpoints along the gorge rim. Additionally, a trail to the base of the falls leads to a newly constructed boardwalk which overlooks the falls from the base.Snoqualmie Falls is among the largest and most significant waterfalls in the United States. Situated along the Snoqualmie River in the town of Snoqualmie, the falls plunge a sheer 268 feet in a huge amphitheater carved in ancient volcanic bedrock. The natural volume of the Snoqualmie River, coupled with the great height of the falls makes it one of the most powerful waterfalls in North America. However, that power was too tempting a prospect for intrepid engineers, and in July of 1899 the Snoqualmie Falls Hydroelectric plant went online - the first hydroelectric facility in the world to be built entirely underground. In 1910 a second powerhouse (this one above ground) was constructed downstream of the falls, which was greatly expanded again in the late 1950s. Because of the hydroelectric diversions, the falls do not regularly flow with the force of the full volume of the river. However in the spring when the snow in the Cascade Mountains is melting at full bore, and in the early winter months when heavy rain frequents the Northwest, the river often swells to impressive proportions and it is temporarily restored to its natural splendor. During such periods, spray from the falls swirls around in the amphitheater so fervently that it can rise well above the top of the falls, and even be blinding at times (for visitors standing along the viewpoints that is). In 2015 a massive overhaul of the hydroelectric facilities at the falls was completed, which greatly increased both the power output of the hydro stations, but also increased the maximum capacity of the diversion of the river as well. The FERC licence for the project stipulated that a minimum release of 100 cubic feet per second pass over the falls during daylight hours, at on certain holidays (Labor Day weekend, for example) it increase to 200 cfs - this is actually an increase from the previous minimum release requirement. The penstocks now have a total capacity of 3,620 cfs, which is great enough that essentially the entire volume of the river will be drawn off - save for the minimum required release - for eight months out of the year, based on the Daily Mean flow statistics maintained by the USGS. This is also greatly increased from the previous diversion capacity. However, because the Snoqualmie River does frequently surpass this volume in the Spring and early Winter months, it can still be seen running at impressively high levels. Because it's situated so close to the Puget Sound metropolitan area, Snoqualmie Falls is among the most popular tourist destinations in the state of Washington; receiving an average of over 1.5 million visitors each year. This has certainly been bolstered by the falls' appearance in the opening credits of the show Twin Peaks, which aired from 1990-1991 - most of the show was filmed in Roselyn, Washington, but many exterior and environmental shots were filmed around Snoqualmie and North Bend.Snoqualmie is the English translation and spelling of the Salish "sah-KOH-koh" or "Sdob-dwahibbluh", meaning Moon. The falls were first seen by non-native Washington Hall in 1848 and became a well known tourist destination by 1865. The hydroelectric facility was installed beneath the falls in 1899 and continues operation today, and the Snoqualmie Falls Lodge (now the Salish Lodge) was opened in 1919 after the Sunset Highway was constructed.