Beaver River 001

Thursday night we had lots of rain on the North Shore. Two Harbors had just over 3 inches and in Grand Marais they had over 5 inches. The power of that much water heading for Lake Superior is pretty awesome.

Lower Gooseberry Falls 001

All of the North Shore Rivers were at or over their banks. The Gooseberry River was almost the highest I have ever seen it.

Lower Gooseberry Falls 002

Many visitors just stood in awe of the powerful water coming over the Lower Gooseberry Falls.

High Falls Grand Portage State Park 001

Karla and I spent part of Saturday afternoon at the High Falls on the Pigeon River in Grand Portage State Park. The High Falls are 120 feet high. The force of the water coming over the falls sent spray up as high as 150 feet. There is a gauge on the river that measures the flow. With Thursday night’s rain, the discharge rate went from 900 to 5,500 cubic feet per second.

The spray from the falls was swirling around the gorge and over the top of the viewing platform making it difficult to take photos. I made a hole in a zip-lock bag just big enough for my lens and put the bag over my camera to protect it. Both Karla and I got pretty wet from the spray. The spray also produced a double rainbow. It was incredible.

High Falls Grand Portage State Park 001

Several people visited the falls while we were there. A mom brought her two little girls to see the falls. They had a great time watching the rainbow, seeing the power of the water and letting the spray cool them off. Both girls were having a great time as we could tell by their huge smiles.

Devil Track River 001

Some rivers didn't fare so well as you can see here along Hwy 61 at the mouth of the Devil Track.

Devil Track River 002

The power of the water undercut the highway.