Snoqualmie River
Encyclopedia
The Snoqualmie River is a 45 miles (72.4 km) long river in King County
and Snohomish County
in the U.S. state
of Washington. The river's three main tributaries are the North, Middle, and South Forks, which drain the west side of the Cascade Mountains near the town of North Bend
and join near the town of Snoqualmie
just above the Snoqualmie Falls
. After the falls the river flows north through rich farmland and the towns of Fall City
, Carnation
, and Duvall
before meeting the Skykomish River
to form the Snohomish River
near Monroe
. The Snohomish River empties into Puget Sound
at Everett
. Other tributaries of the Snoqualmie River include the Taylor River
and the Pratt River
, both of which enter the Middle Fork, the Tolt River
, which joins at Carnation, and the Raging River
at Fall City.
Many of the Snoqualmie River's headwaters originate as snowmelt
within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness
. On August 8, 2007, U.S. Representative
Dave Reichert
(WA-08
), King County Executive Ron Sims
, and others announced a proposal to expand the Alpine Lakes Wilderness to include the valley of the Pratt River, a tributary of the Middle Fork, near the town of North Bend. The proposal would also give the Pratt River National Wild and Scenic River
status.
The Middle Fork, approximately 41 miles (66 km) long, originates from Chains Lakes,47°33′30"N 121°14′15"W, and flows south to Williams Lake, then in an easterly direction until it meets with the North Fork near North Bend. It receives the waters of the Taylor River and the Pratt River in short order about halfway between its source and its mouth. It has one major waterfall along its course.
The Middle Fork Valley is a popular recreational area since it is accessible during the winter due to its low altitude and close proximity to Seattle. The Middle Fork Road (currently 18 miles long but gated due to flood damage at 12.5 miles) is on the 1920s and 30's era railroad grade of the North Bend Timber Company. The Middle Fork Valley was heavily logged starting in 1923 and continued up through the 1970s. The obvious railroad grades, pilings, and related debris are from the North Bend Timber Company's company's activity from 1923 to 1941.
. The river then flows east before making a wide turn north. Just before its confluence with the Middle Fork the river flows through a canyon near Ernie's Grove. There are several waterfalls within this canyon including Fantastic Falls
.
The Snoqualmie River has quite a few major waterfalls. By far the most famous waterfall in Washington, receiving over 1 million visitors every year is the 268 ft high Snoqualmie Falls
. However, the three forks of the upper Snoqualmie River also have notable waterfalls. The north fork has Fantastic Falls
(35 ft) and Kanim Falls
(200 ft). The middle fork has Nellie Falls
(150 ft). And, the south fork has Twin Falls
(135 ft), Middle Twin Falls
, Upper Twin Falls
, Weeks Falls
, Upper Weeks Falls
, Denny Camp Falls, Franklin Falls
(135 ft), and Fall-into-the-Wall Falls (22 ft).
Snoqualmie Falls
was featured on the television series Twin Peaks
. Shots of upriver Snoqualmie also feature in some of the show's title sequences.
and rafting. It features run rate Class II to Class V+. The nearby Raging River
also features a kayaking run.
The Snoqualmie River is prone to flooding and typically sees multiple flood events annually that inundate local farmland and close low-lying roads. During record level floods, all road access to the towns of Carnation and Duvall becomes closed off. The last three times this happened were during the floods of 2009, 2006, and 1990.
The river level of the Snoqualmie River is monitored by six NOAA flood gauges, one on each fork, one just above the falls, one below Carnation, and one near Duvall. The Tolt River and the Raging River are also monitored by flood gauges.
The Snoqualmie Flood Reduction Project was a controversial Army Corps of Engineers project completed in 2005 to reduce the effect of floods in the town of Snoqualmie by widening the river just above the falls.
King County, Washington
King County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. The population in the 2010 census was 1,931,249. King is the most populous county in Washington, and the 14th most populous in the United States....
and Snohomish County
Snohomish County, Washington
Snohomish County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. It is named after the Snohomish tribe. Since 2000, the county's population has grown from 606,024 to 713,335 residents , making it one of the fastest-growing in the state, ranking third in overall population after King and...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Washington. The river's three main tributaries are the North, Middle, and South Forks, which drain the west side of the Cascade Mountains near the town of North Bend
North Bend, Washington
North Bend is a city in King County, Washington, United States. The town was made famous by David Lynch's television series Twin Peaks Since the Weyerhaeuser sawmill closed, North Bend has become an upscale bedroom community for the Eastside of Seattle, Washington, with property values more than...
and join near the town of Snoqualmie
Snoqualmie, Washington
Snoqualmie is a city next to Snoqualmie Falls in King County, Washington. The city is home to the Northwest Railway Museum. The population was of 10,670 at the 2010 census...
just above the Snoqualmie Falls
Snoqualmie Falls
Snoqualmie Falls is a 268 ft 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...
. After the falls the river flows north through rich farmland and the towns of Fall City
Fall City, Washington
Fall City is a census-designated place in King County, Washington, United States. Located 26 miles east of Seattle, the community lies along the Snoqualmie River. The population was 1,993 at the 2010 census...
, Carnation
Carnation, Washington
Carnation is a city in King County, Washington, United States. The population was 1,786 at the 2010 census.-History:Settled in 1865, Carnation was officially incorporated on December 30, 1912, as Tolt. The name was changed to Carnation in 1917, back to Tolt on May 3, 1928, and finally back to...
, and Duvall
Duvall, Washington
Duvall is a city in King County, Washington, United States, located on SR 203, halfway between Monroe and Carnation. The population was 6,695 at the 2010 census.-History:...
before meeting the Skykomish River
Skykomish River
The Skykomish River is a Washington river which drains the west side of the Cascade Mountains in the southeast section of Snohomish County and the northeast corner of King County. The river starts with the confluence of the North Fork Skykomish River and South Fork Skykomish River approximately one...
to form the Snohomish River
Snohomish River
The Snohomish River is a river in the U.S. state of Washington, formed by the confluence of the Skykomish and Snoqualmie rivers near Monroe. It flows northwest entering Port Gardner Bay, part of Puget Sound, between Everett and Marysville. The Pilchuck River is its main tributary and joins the...
near Monroe
Monroe, Washington
Monroe is a city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. The population as of 17,304 at the 2010 census.-History:The history of Monroe is intertwined with that of the Great Northern Railway which pushed over the Cascade Range at Stevens Pass and worked its way down the Skykomish River...
. The Snohomish River empties into Puget Sound
Puget Sound
Puget Sound is a sound in the U.S. state of Washington. It is a complex estuarine system of interconnected marine waterways and basins, with one major and one minor connection to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean — Admiralty Inlet being the major connection and...
at Everett
Everett, Washington
Everett is the county seat of and the largest city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. Named for Everett Colby, son of founder Charles L. Colby, it lies north of Seattle. The city had a total population of 103,019 at the 2010 census, making it the 6th largest in the state and...
. Other tributaries of the Snoqualmie River include the Taylor River
Taylor River (Washington)
The Taylor River is a river in King County in Washington.- Course :The river starts at the outlet of Bear Lake. The river drops over a small waterfall before entering Deer Lake...
and the Pratt River
Pratt River
The Pratt River is a river in King County in Washington. It is a tributary of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River. It was named for prospector George A Pratt, who discovered nearby iron deposits in 1887....
, both of which enter the Middle Fork, the Tolt River
Tolt River
The Tolt River is located in the western foothills of the Cascade Mountains in north central King County in the U.S. state of Washington. The river begins at the confluence of the North Fork Tolt and South Fork Tolt rivers. It flows southwest joining the Snoqualmie River near Carnation, Washington...
, which joins at Carnation, and the Raging River
Raging River
The Raging River is a modest tributary to the much larger Snoqualmie River in western Washington State in the United States. It is located in the western foothills of the Cascade Mountains in east central King County, Washington. It gets its name from the large amount of water is sometimes carries...
at Fall City.
Many of the Snoqualmie River's headwaters originate as snowmelt
Snowmelt
In hydrology, snowmelt is surface runoff produced from melting snow. It can also be used to describe the period or season during which such runoff is produced. Water produced by snowmelt is an important part of the annual water cycle in many parts of the world, in some cases contributing high...
within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness
Alpine Lakes Wilderness
The Alpine Lakes Wilderness is a large wilderness area spanning the Cascade Range of Washington state in the United States. The wilderness is located in parts of Wenatchee National Forest and Snoqualmie National Forest, and is approximately bounded by Interstate 90 and Snoqualmie Pass to the south...
. On August 8, 2007, U.S. Representative
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
Dave Reichert
Dave Reichert
David George Reichert is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2005. He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served as Sheriff of King County, Washington.-Early life, education and career:...
(WA-08
Washington's 8th congressional district
Washington's 8th congressional district includes most of the region known as the Eastside and the mostly rural eastern parts of King and Pierce counties. It is currently represented in the U.S. House of Representatives by Republican Dave Reichert....
), King County Executive Ron Sims
Ron Sims
Ronald Cordell Sims, , is currently the Deputy Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, having been confirmed by the Senate on May 6, 2009 and sworn in on May 8. He is also the former King County Executive...
, and others announced a proposal to expand the Alpine Lakes Wilderness to include the valley of the Pratt River, a tributary of the Middle Fork, near the town of North Bend. The proposal would also give the Pratt River National Wild and Scenic River
National Wild and Scenic River
National Wild and Scenic River is a designation for certain protected areas in the United States.The National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was an outgrowth of the recommendations of a Presidential commission, the Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission...
status.
South Fork
The South Fork, approximately 31 miles (49.9 km) long, begins at the outlet of tiny Source Lake, 47°27′18"N 121°27′9"W, and flows southeast before soon turning southwest and continuing to flow in that direction until after Denny Creek joins. It then flows west for a bit before turning northwest and continuing in that general direction until it merges with the Snoqualmie River Proper just above Snoqualmie Falls. It drops over a total of 6 waterfalls (many would argue 8 because many people divide the final one into three portions).Middle Fork
The Middle Fork Valley is a popular recreational area since it is accessible during the winter due to its low altitude and close proximity to Seattle. The Middle Fork Road (currently 18 miles long but gated due to flood damage at 12.5 miles) is on the 1920s and 30's era railroad grade of the North Bend Timber Company. The Middle Fork Valley was heavily logged starting in 1923 and continued up through the 1970s. The obvious railroad grades, pilings, and related debris are from the North Bend Timber Company's company's activity from 1923 to 1941.
North Fork
The North Fork, approximately 28 miles (45.1 km) long, originates at the outlet of small, rarely visited Lake Kanim ,47°39′41"N 121°28′58"W. Almost directly after exiting the lake it drops over Kanim FallsKanim Falls
Kanim Falls is the major waterfall on the North Fork of the Snoqualmie River. It is located at the outlet of Kanim Lake and is near the source of the North Fork of the Snoqualmie River.-External links:*...
. The river then flows east before making a wide turn north. Just before its confluence with the Middle Fork the river flows through a canyon near Ernie's Grove. There are several waterfalls within this canyon including Fantastic Falls
Fantastic Falls
Fantastic Falls is a waterfall on the North fork of the Snoqualmie River. At 35 ft, is the largest of several small waterfalls in the Ernie's Grove area.-External links:*...
.
Waterfalls
Snoqualmie Falls
Snoqualmie Falls is a 268 ft 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...
. However, the three forks of the upper Snoqualmie River also have notable waterfalls. The north fork has Fantastic Falls
Fantastic Falls
Fantastic Falls is a waterfall on the North fork of the Snoqualmie River. At 35 ft, is the largest of several small waterfalls in the Ernie's Grove area.-External links:*...
(35 ft) and Kanim Falls
Kanim Falls
Kanim Falls is the major waterfall on the North Fork of the Snoqualmie River. It is located at the outlet of Kanim Lake and is near the source of the North Fork of the Snoqualmie River.-External links:*...
(200 ft). The middle fork has Nellie Falls
Nellie Falls
Nellie Falls is a waterfall on the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River in Washington, in the United States.The falls occur where the river drops down a headwall. They are accessed closely by a short, difficult bushwalk.-External links:*...
(150 ft). And, the south fork has Twin Falls
Twin Falls (Washington)
Twin Falls is a waterfall on the South fork of the Snoqualmie River, off exit 34 on I-90 in the Olallie State Park.-See also:* Snoqualmie River* Olallie State Park* Middle Twin Falls* Upper Twin Falls-External links:* , Washington State Parks*...
(135 ft), Middle Twin Falls
Middle Twin Falls
-See also:* Snoqualmie River* Olallie State Park* Twin Falls * Upper Twin Falls-External links:*...
, Upper Twin Falls
Upper Twin Falls
Upper Twin Falls is a waterfall on the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River.-External links:*...
, Weeks Falls
Weeks Falls
thumb|300px|right|Sign by Weeks Falls Hydro PlantWeeks Falls is a waterfall on the South fork of the Snoqualmie River, located just south of Interstate 90 at exit 38. The falls are at the end of the road that goes past the Olallie State Park ranger headquarters...
, Upper Weeks Falls
Upper Weeks Falls
Upper Weeks Falls is a waterfall on the South fork of the Snoqualmie River. It is located south of Interstate 90 on the north side of SE Homestead Valley Road. The waterfall can be reached either by a rock scramble upstream from Weeks Falls or following a very steep unofficial trail down through...
, Denny Camp Falls, Franklin Falls
Franklin Falls
Franklin Falls is a waterfall on the South fork of the Snoqualmie River, the first of three major waterfalls on the South Fork Snoqualmie River. The falls are located near Snoqualmie Pass in Kittitas County, Washington, United States, between the north and south lanes of Interstate 90, just east of...
(135 ft), and Fall-into-the-Wall Falls (22 ft).
Snoqualmie Falls
Snoqualmie Falls
Snoqualmie Falls is a 268 ft 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...
was featured on the television series Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks is an American television serial drama created by David Lynch and Mark Frost. The series follows the investigation headed by FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper , of the murder of a popular teenager and homecoming queen, Laura Palmer...
. Shots of upriver Snoqualmie also feature in some of the show's title sequences.
Whitewater kayaking, canoeing and rafting
The Snoqualmie River has quite a few sections suitable for whitewater kayakingKayaking
Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. Kayaking and canoeing are also known as paddling. Kayaking is distinguished from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle...
and rafting. It features run rate Class II to Class V+. The nearby Raging River
Raging River
The Raging River is a modest tributary to the much larger Snoqualmie River in western Washington State in the United States. It is located in the western foothills of the Cascade Mountains in east central King County, Washington. It gets its name from the large amount of water is sometimes carries...
also features a kayaking run.
Flooding
The river level of the Snoqualmie River is monitored by six NOAA flood gauges, one on each fork, one just above the falls, one below Carnation, and one near Duvall. The Tolt River and the Raging River are also monitored by flood gauges.
The Snoqualmie Flood Reduction Project was a controversial Army Corps of Engineers project completed in 2005 to reduce the effect of floods in the town of Snoqualmie by widening the river just above the falls.
Cities on the river
- North Bend, WashingtonNorth Bend, WashingtonNorth Bend is a city in King County, Washington, United States. The town was made famous by David Lynch's television series Twin Peaks Since the Weyerhaeuser sawmill closed, North Bend has become an upscale bedroom community for the Eastside of Seattle, Washington, with property values more than...
- Snoqualmie, WashingtonSnoqualmie, WashingtonSnoqualmie is a city next to Snoqualmie Falls in King County, Washington. The city is home to the Northwest Railway Museum. The population was of 10,670 at the 2010 census...
- Fall City, WashingtonFall City, WashingtonFall City is a census-designated place in King County, Washington, United States. Located 26 miles east of Seattle, the community lies along the Snoqualmie River. The population was 1,993 at the 2010 census...
- Carnation, WashingtonCarnation, WashingtonCarnation is a city in King County, Washington, United States. The population was 1,786 at the 2010 census.-History:Settled in 1865, Carnation was officially incorporated on December 30, 1912, as Tolt. The name was changed to Carnation in 1917, back to Tolt on May 3, 1928, and finally back to...
- Duvall, WashingtonDuvall, WashingtonDuvall is a city in King County, Washington, United States, located on SR 203, halfway between Monroe and Carnation. The population was 6,695 at the 2010 census.-History:...