Palouse River & Falls
When seen from the top of the falls, the scenery at the Palouse River is other-worldly. Towering layers of basalt squeezed out of the earth’s core forming multiple layers over millions of years were then scoured and shaped by the cataclysmic glacial flood from prehistoric Lake Missoula.
The Marme’s excavation site, now covered by river water heights resulting from reservoirs created by the dams, stands as silent testimony to human habitation here for 10,000 years. Possible rock shelter caves in the basalt hillsides are still evident at higher elevations. The harsh landscape is punctuated by incomprehensible island spires; and massive rockslides stalled in their ‘angle of repose’.
But when you get down close enough, down to river level in a Zodiac or kayak, it is clear that this place is teeming with life. Over the course of our morning’s explorations we saw evidence of industrious beavers, observed mule deer, a porcupine, a bald eagle, western grebes, coots and cormorants. Plant life also abounds along the banks, shorelines and rock formations. Fall is the color of western sumac (red), poplar (yellow), Russian olive and sagebrush (both grayish green); and even several varieties of lichens were recorded. Abandoned cliff swallow mud nests won’t see their residents until next spring, but they will surely return.
It is a desolate environment to be certain, punctuated by the life-giving river; but nature persists and life abounds - each life form inexorably fulfilling its role in nature’s plan.
When seen from the top of the falls, the scenery at the Palouse River is other-worldly. Towering layers of basalt squeezed out of the earth’s core forming multiple layers over millions of years were then scoured and shaped by the cataclysmic glacial flood from prehistoric Lake Missoula.
The Marme’s excavation site, now covered by river water heights resulting from reservoirs created by the dams, stands as silent testimony to human habitation here for 10,000 years. Possible rock shelter caves in the basalt hillsides are still evident at higher elevations. The harsh landscape is punctuated by incomprehensible island spires; and massive rockslides stalled in their ‘angle of repose’.
But when you get down close enough, down to river level in a Zodiac or kayak, it is clear that this place is teeming with life. Over the course of our morning’s explorations we saw evidence of industrious beavers, observed mule deer, a porcupine, a bald eagle, western grebes, coots and cormorants. Plant life also abounds along the banks, shorelines and rock formations. Fall is the color of western sumac (red), poplar (yellow), Russian olive and sagebrush (both grayish green); and even several varieties of lichens were recorded. Abandoned cliff swallow mud nests won’t see their residents until next spring, but they will surely return.
It is a desolate environment to be certain, punctuated by the life-giving river; but nature persists and life abounds - each life form inexorably fulfilling its role in nature’s plan.
