Spokane Falls is a 50-foot cascade on the Spokane River in downtown Spokane, Washington, the lower of the two sets of falls that run through Riverfront Park. The cascade runs between the Post Street and Monroe Street bridges, just below City Hall.
The falls
The lower falls form a steep cascade: below a 25-foot dam, the river rumbles about 50 feet down the remaining rock face. Earlier surveys listed 100 feet. Before development, the upper and lower falls formed one connected series about a third of a mile long, with estimates of 120 to 130 feet; the 146 feet often quoted is the drop from the upper dam to the powerhouse. Flow over the falls is regulated, because the Monroe Street Dam diverts a large share of the river through its hydroelectric plant.
Getting there
The falls sit in the middle of downtown and are seen from public viewpoints on both banks. Huntington Park, below City Hall, has paths with stairs and gravel down toward the water, and the Post Street and Monroe Street bridges look straight onto the cascade. The City of Spokane operates the Riverfront SkyRide, a gondola that drops about 200 feet over the lower falls; tickets are sold on site at Spokane Falls Boulevard and Post Street and cost $13.95 for adults and $9.95 for ages 3 to 12, plus tax, with children 2 and under free. The ride takes 15 to 20 minutes round trip.
When to go
March through June brings spring runoff, when river flow is at its peak. The SkyRide can close in high winds or when temperatures pass 90°F, so summer mornings are the safer bet for a ride.
On site
Huntington Park and its Tribal Gathering Place, with water features and basalt stonework, frame views across the falls. Under the Monroe Street Bridge arch a viewing spot looks onto the cascade, and the SkyRide cabins are wheelchair accessible. A 12-foot bronze of the Salmon Chief by Colville artist Virgil "Smoker" Merchand stands at the foot of Huntington Park.
History and name
The Spokane people called the falls Stluputqu, "swift water," and tribes gathered here each year to fish for salmon, with a Salmon Chief sharing out the catch; the Gathering at the Falls Powwow still takes place every late August. The city that grew up beside them was first named Spokane Falls. The Monroe Street Dam, completed in 1890, was the first dam on the Spokane River; Avista operates the facility today. The rail yards that hid the river were cleared for Expo '74, which left Riverfront Park behind.
Nearby
Upper Spokane Falls, upstream around Salmon People Island, is about 0.2 miles away, and Canada Island Falls about 0.3 miles; the suspension bridges on the north bank lead close to the upper falls. Indian Canyon Falls lies about 2.8 miles away.
Distances are straight-line.