Moyie Falls

Moyie Falls is a 91-foot tiered waterfall on the Moyie River in Boundary County, Idaho, about 7 miles from Bonners Ferry. The river here is part of a hydroelectric project, and a short roadside walk leads to a fenced overlook above the canyon.

The falls

The World Waterfall Database has the height at 91 feet with two horsetail drops, the taller 61 feet, while lidar shows a cumulative fall of about 90 feet. An earlier figure was 85 feet. The upper drop plunges beneath an old bridge that spans the rocky gorge, with the lower tier tumbling below it, and the whole descent has been placed at up to 140 feet.

Most of the Moyie's water is diverted around the falls for much of the year. Because a powerhouse sits between the two drops, the lower falls can still run when the upper one is dry.

Getting there

A walk of about 0.1 mile runs along the road from designated parking to a signed, fenced overlook; about 300 feet farther on, the lower fall comes into view. The access road is not suited to large RVs or trailers. The viewpoint is listed among the hydroelectric project's recreation facilities.

When to go

Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, when the river's natural flow bypasses the project and runs over the falls. For much of the rest of the year the upper falls can be dry.

On site

The overlook looks down into a steep-walled canyon. There is no safe way down to the river, so the falls are a viewpoint-only stop.

History and name

The first diversion dam and powerhouse were built in 1921 and 1922, with more powerhouses following in 1941 and 1982. The present 92-foot concrete dam dates from 1949.

Nearby

Skin Creek Falls is about 3.1 miles away, Katka Falls about 3.4 miles and Myrtle Creek Falls about 11.2 miles.

Distances are straight-line.