The Falls

We had the opportunity to spend some time at The Falls last month thanks to our CO visitors. I climbed the observation tower and took photos while the others were geocaching down below. The tower gives a magnificent view of the area.

view from five stories above the park

Falls Park covers 123 acres. 7400 gallons of water drop 100 feet each second as it moves from the upper level back to the Big Sioux River as it continues on its journey.

the longest falls drop

Sioux Quartzite is the pink rock exposed throughout the park and the building material for most of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century buildings in the park and many of other pioneer built structures in the area. The rock, among the oldest in South Dakota, is the second hardest rock. Diamond being the hardest.

Stories of The Falls were brought to the Europeans by their first visitors the Native Americans.

tree trunk across the falls

The Sioux Quartzite is very resistant to erosion due to its density, the result of cementation and compaction. Wave action on the floor of an ancient continental sea created the deposited silica-cemented quartzite and sandstone into what we see today.

Queen Bee Mill remains and Millrace and Dam

Although it is legal to walk out on the quartzite outcroppings, there have been several deaths, probably one a year at Falls Park. This spring a three-year old fell in and died. Many people visited The Falls this spring after the spring snow melt and the heavy rains. We did not, but the photos and videos were stunning and powerful. More viewing platforms are being built this summer, although people still leave the paved trails and walk closer to the river for a better view and that unique photo. Since 1980 there have been eleven deaths and numerous rescues at Falls Park.

Queen Bee Mill

This is the remains of the seven story mill built or funded by Richard Pettigrew in 1881. It processed 1500 bushels of wheat a day. The Sioux Quartzite building cost $500,000. It closed in 1883 due to a shortage of wheat and a decreased water supply. A fire swept through the structure in 1956 destroying the wooden roof and interior floors. The still-standing upper walls were knocked down to prevent them from falling and destroying the base of the mill.

Millrace and Dam

The Queen Bee Mill needed a power source and the dam (razed in 1908) and water wheel (also gone) provided the needed power until the mill closed and the power plant was built. Today it is one of numerous viewing platforms below the falls.

Sioux Falls Light and Power Company

This Sioux Falls Light and Power Company opened in 1908 and housed three 500 kilowatt hydroelectric generators. It is also built of Sioux Quartzite. The plant operated until 1974 and was donated to the city in 1977. Today it is the Falls Overlook Cafe offering food and beverages.

view of the Queen Bee Mill and its power source

Big Sioux River below The Falls

a Sioux Quartzite island in the river

fisherman along the shoreline

Also seen from the five-story observation tower...

twin spires of Saint Joseph Cathedral

new downtown lofts obstructing the view of 1919 historic building

clock tower of The Old Courthouse, 1893

The city has 26 miles of bike trails along the Big Sioux River, starting at Falls Park. The Big Sioux has been flowing in its present course for more than 10,000 years.