Snoqualmie Falls, Washington

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 (8,000 m²) 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. Wikipedia Commons has pictures of the falls taken on 22 December 2005, 7 November 2006 and 11 January 2006 showing the massive flow of water that occurs at these times. 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."[1] The mists rising from the base of the waterfall serve to connect Heaven and Earth.
Power plants



Cutaway diagrams of Power Plant 1
There are two hydroelectric power plants at Snoqualmie Falls, both currently operated by Puget Sound Energy. Power plant 1 was built in 1898 and operates at the base of the falls embedded in the rock 270 feet below the surface. It was the world's first completely underground power plant.[3] Power plant 2 was built in 1910 and further expanded in 1957, and is located a short distance downstream of the falls. The power plants have a combined output of 44,000 kilowatts.[4] Approximately 1% of Puget Sound Energy sales comes from the plant.[citation needed]
The 1898 generating system was designated an ASCE Civil Engineering Landmark in 1981.[5]
[edit]The town of Snoqualmie Falls

The town of Snoqualmie Falls was located near the waterfall. It was associated with the Weyerhaeuser mill there. It had many structures including a hospital, school, community center, and many homes. When the town disbanded, many houses were moved to the nearby town of Snoqualmie.

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[xjustjuddx]

Sure is!

[xjustjuddx]

I know.. I love visiting the falls. Quite the hike down to the bottom though...

[incendiumx]

Been there many times. Its more impressive when it's at flood stage ;)

[kiuhy7]

cool place