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
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 Clarks 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.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list.
Location. 47° 31.799′ N, 111° 14.127′ W. Marker is in Great Falls
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically entral Montana in Russell Country. It is also in the American Mountain West and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Seaman: Companion to the Corps (within shouting distance of this marker); The Army's Navy (within shouting distance of this marker); The Experiment (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mobile Villages (about 500 feet away); One of Many Firsts (approx. 0.2 miles away); Of Special Concern (approx. 0.2 miles away); Giant Fountain (approx. 0.4 miles away); Pure Springs Along the Missouri River (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Great Falls.
Photographed by Duane Hall, August 12, 2010
2. Missouri River below the Black Eagle Dam
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
from the marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 16, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 827 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 16, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.
