Great Falls in Cascade County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
A "great" Set of Falls
Photographed By Duane Hall, August 12, 2010
1. A "great" Set of Falls Marker
Inscription.
A "great" Set of Falls. . Hidasta informants described a fall of water on the Missouri River near the mountains, so the Captains expected a short portage. Instead of one waterfall, Lewis happened upon a succession of five, and their hope for a short portage faded. Look upriver and see “upper pitch,” now called Black Eagle Falls, the last in the series. The remaining four cascades are downriver - the “sublimely grand” Great Falls is 8 river miles and a 20-minute drive away. , , A “great” Challenge , Standing atop a knoll, now called Smelter Hill, just upstream, Lewis determined the south shore offered the shortest, most level portage with the fewest ravine crossings. Following Clark’s survey, the Corps pulled canoes and gear over 18 miles of unforgiving plains. , , A “great” But Tamed, Resource , The 360 foot drop in this section of river offered a ready power source for the young community of Great Falls. Five dams now lasso the river and regulate its water levels and current.
Hidasta informants described a fall of water on the Missouri River near the mountains, so the Captains expected a short portage. Instead of one waterfall, Lewis happened upon a succession of five, and their hope for a short portage faded. Look upriver and see “upper pitch,” now called Black Eagle Falls, the last in the series. The remaining four cascades are downriver - the “sublimely grand” Great Falls is 8 river miles and a 20-minute drive away.
A “great” Challenge
Standing atop a knoll, now called Smelter Hill, just upstream, Lewis determined the south shore offered the shortest, most level portage with the fewest ravine crossings. Following Clark’s survey, the Corps pulled canoes and gear over 18 miles of unforgiving plains.
A “great” But Tamed, Resource
The 360 foot drop in this section of river offered a ready power source for the young community of Great Falls. Five dams now lasso the river and regulate its water levels and current.
W. Marker is in Great Falls, Montana, in Cascade County. Marker can be reached from Giant Springs Road, 0.9 miles north of River Drive North. Marker is located at the overlook of the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center; the above directions are to the parking lot of the Interpretive Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4201 Giant Springs Road, Great Falls MT 59405, United States of America. Touch for directions.
View upriver (southwest) from the Interpretive Center Overlook
Photographed By Duane Hall, August 12, 2010
3. Black Eagle Dam and the Upper Pitch
Photographed By Duane Hall, August 12, 2010
4. Ryan Dam and the Great Falls
”8 river miles and a 20-minute drive away” from the marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 16, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 575 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 16, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.
