September 21, 2021

GIANT SPRINGS STATE PARK

4803 Giant Springs Rd, Great Falls, MT 59405

“State park in Cascade County, Montana. Home to the world's largest freshwater spring & the Rainbow Dam, this park offers 2 miles of trails.”

Upon leaving the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center I ventured on into Giant Springs State Park, hoping to view some of the waterfalls Lewis & Clark had encountered. The first stop inside the park was the park’s name sake…Giant Spring, one of the world’s largest freshwater spring, producing over 156 million gallons of water each day. The water flows into the Roe River, which was once listed by the Guiness Book of World Records as the shortest river in the world (it has since dropped the category). The water is 54° year-round. Next to the Giant Spring is the Giant Springs Fish Hatchery, which raises Rainbow Trout for stocking area rivers and lakes.

Next, I set out to view the waterfalls. Through the years several dams have been built on the Missouri River which have somewhat altered the appearance of the falls, in fact only four of the five original falls are still visible. I started with the Rainbow Dam and Falls. There is an excellent overlook high above the falls. While there was some water flowing in the river below the dam, I think the falls would be much more active in the sping when water levels would be higher. Next I stopped and saw the Black Eagle Dam and Falls, and had the same experience. I was on my way to see the third falls, The Great Falls, but because of road construction and time of day I decided I had seen enough for the day.