Dry Falls

As the name suggests, Dry Falls no longer carries water, but is the

remnant of what was once the largest waterfall known to have existed

on earth. Viewing the 3.5 miles of sheer cliffs that drop 400 feet, it is

easy to imagine the roar of water pouring over them. (Niagara Falls

by comparison, is one mile wide with a drop of 165 feet).

 

Description

The falls were created following the catastrophic collapse of an

enormous ice-dam holding back the waters of what has been named

"Glacier Lake Missoula". Water covering three thousand square

miles of northwest Montana, about the volume of Lake Ontario, was

locked behind this glacial dam until the rising lake penetrated, lifted

and then blew out the ice dam. The massive torrent (known as the

Missoula Flood) ran wild through the Idaho panhandle, the Spokane

River Valley, much of eastern Washington and into Oregon, flooding

the area that is now the city of Portland under 400 feet of water.

 

Comments and ratings always appreciated.

Nice shot!

Jim,

 

Thanks for the imformation on this amazing site. Looks great in B/W. Wonderful capture. Take care, Patsy

Interesting documentation, Jim - back up text included. b/w works very well for me. Compliments!

good documentary...congrats

Magnificent panorama, Jim. You certainly travel to the most spectacular realms nature has to offer, and then bring big dripping flavorful chunks of those realms back with you in your photographs. You rock.

Nice! Best regards, Ilkka

Fine capture and the story...

Thanks so much for including that very interesting history Jim......unbelievable place it must have been when you compare it to Niagra. A great shot, great detail, lighting, can't believe how stark it appears....would love to see this one in color also....is the water at the bottom very deep??? tnks for sharing, Gail

Nice photo, Jim.  Perfect in B&W, and the clouds are particularly nice.  You should list a reference for the material you posted about the history of the region, since you used it verbatim.  Just copy and paste:

http://www.gonorthwest.com/Washington/northeast/Dry_Falls.htm