Albeni Falls

Albeni Falls was a low waterfall on the Pend Oreille River in Bonner County, Idaho, about 2 miles east of Newport, Washington. Since the 1950s the site has been occupied by Albeni Falls Dam, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project, and the natural waterfall is no longer present.

The falls

Historical accounts describe a modest, segmented cascade about 2.5 miles upstream of the Washington-Idaho border, likely 10 to 15 feet tall, where the river flowed around two islands. Building the dam removed one of the islands and all but eliminated the falls; the 90-foot dam now stands where the water once dropped. The river's flow here is regulated by the dam.

Getting there

The Corps visitor center sits on Highway 2, 2 miles east of Newport and 5 miles west of the town of Priest River, and overlooks the dam. Free ranger-led tours last about an hour and cover roughly half a mile of paved walking, including slopes.

When to go

The visitor center is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in summer and on weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in winter, except off-season federal holidays; staffing can change the hours. Tours usually run on Saturdays at 9 a.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

On site

The visitor center has picnic tables, drinking water and accessible restrooms. Pets must be leashed, and overnight parking isn't allowed.

History and name

The project takes its name from Albeni Poirier. Construction ran from January 1951 to December 1955, and the dam began regulating Lake Pend Oreille in 1952.

Nearby

Torrelle Falls on the West Branch Priest River is about 7.5 miles away, McAbee Falls on the Priest River about 9.4 miles, and Calispell Creek Falls across the state line in Washington about 16.5 miles.

Distances are straight-line.