Snoqualmie Falls

by Cheryl Rose

Title

Snoqualmie Falls

Artist

Cheryl Rose

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

The Fine Art America watermark in the lower right corner will NOT appear on artwork or items you purchase.

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. More than 1.5 million visitors come to the Falls every year, where there is a two-acre (0.8 ha) park with hiking trails, an observation deck, Salish Lodge, and two Puget Sound Hydroelectric power plants.

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.

There are 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. 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.

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.

Uploaded

November 1st, 2016

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