Waterfall Attractions

The rivers and streams within the region are well known for unique and varied waterfalls. Some of these cascades are easily accessible, others are hidden treasures. Just north of of Colville is Douglas Falls Park. Home to one of the prettiest waterfalls in the region, the Department of Natural Resources developed a campground, picnic area and baseball diamond. Mill Creek flows over a rock face in many rivulets and streams. There is easy access to the fall and a nice overlook providing some incredible photographic opportunities.

20 miles east of Colville, on State Highway 20 'Crystal Falls' thunders over the rocks of the Little Pend Orielle River. A brief stop and easy walk here will be rewarded with a spectacular view from a fenced area located a safe distance away. Even long time residents have passed this place and not stopped to really enjoy the falls. Crystal Falls also changes dramatically with the seasons. High water makes this fall a thundering torrent. Autumn brings falls colors and a slower pace, while the falls are cloaked in ice during the winter months. Below Crystal Falls, also on the Little Pend Orielle River is Trilbey Falls.The river plunges through a small cleft in the rock only a few feet wide. The Fall can be heard, and the spray seen, far from the actual fall. The downside is that this impressive fall requires a treacherous and steep hike to see them.

Before the waters of Lake Roosevelt silenced it, the massive Kettle Falls was just north of the bridge over the Columbia River. On rare occasions, when the lake waters are lowered just before the spring runoff, portions of the old fall can be seen. Meyers Falls is also near the town of Kettle Falls. This was once the site of the first grist mill in western U.S. and only the upper portion is visible easily, but with a little planning and permission from private landowners it is possible to get a really good view of these falls.

Only a few of the falls have been mentioned here. It is relatively safe to say "if you find a river or stream, you'll find cascading water and a nearby waterfall."

Boating

Water-skiing, canoeing, sailing and fishing are just some of the on-water activities the lake offers. Access to the lake is made easy by 23 boat ramps and 4 full service marinas. Because lake levels fluctuate daily, always compare the lake level and boat launch elevations before starting out. In summer months, the lake level is generally high enough to meet the needs of all boat launch requirements. The main marina is 4 miles from Blue Moose Cabins towards Kettle Falls.

Every lake is accessible by private or public boat launch facilities. Thirteen miles from Colville, you can take big boats and houseboats on Lake Roosevelt, 151 miles of lake water behind Grand Coulee Dam. You may contact them at 509-738-6366 or http://www.nps.gov/laro/ Smaller boats, canoes and rubber rafts find their own challenges in the Kettle River or maybe in more laid back setting on one of the many lakes. There are a number of fine picnic areas on the banks of many area lakes. Stevens County has 306 lakes, 315 ponds, 125 marshes and swampy areas and 175 creeks.

Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area

At 150 miles long, Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area is one of the largest lakes in the area, making it ideal for motor boating, water skiing, canoeing, kayaking, wind surfing sailing, swimming and fishing. A Walleye fishing tournament is held annually in June.

There are approximately 75 species of mammals, 200 species of birds, 15 species of reptiles and 10 species of amphibians in the Lake Roosevelt area. Large mammals include black bear, elk, mountain lion, whitetail deer, mule deer, and moose. California Bighorn Sheep were recently introduced to the area. Smaller mammals include: beaver, river otter, muskrat, mink, badger, raccoon, skunk, bobcat, coyote, red fox, porcupine, cottontail rabbits, ground squirrels, chipmunks, yellow-bellied marmot, pika, bats, gophers, rats, and deer and house mice.

Birds found in the watershed include raptors such as: osprey, golden eagle, bald eagle, prairie falcon, red-tailed hawk, northern harrier, and American kestrel. Passerines include swallows, finches, jays, chickadees, kinglets, ravens, magpies, robins, sparrows, blackbirds, and juncos. Water birds include: mallards, pintails, teal, goldeneyes, redhead canvasback, western grebe, coot, lesser scaup, common merganser, common loon, and Canada geese. Shorebirds include: plovers, northern killdeer, spotted sandpiper, gulls, snipe, common grebes and yellowlegs. Grassland birds include: western sage grouse, Columbia sharp-tailed grouse, mourning dove, blue grouse, band-tailed pigeon, pheasant and turkey.

Lake Roosevelt watershed reptiles and amphibians include: sage brush lizard, western rattlesnake, gopher or bull snake, western terrestrial garter snake, bullfrog, western toad and various salamanders. Native species of fish in the area include: kokanee, rainbow trout, bull trout, white sturgeon, burbot, lake whitefish, minnow, sculpin and sucker species. Introduced species include: brook trout, brown trout, walleye, yellow perch, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, sunfish and yellow bullhead. Some of the species found around Lake Roosevelt’s watershed are endangered, these include: peregrine falcons, gray wolf, woodland caribou, bald eagles, grizzly bear, bull trout and Canada lynx.

There are also many species whose decline is a matter of concern, some of these include: ferruginous hawk, Canada floater, Columbia sharp tailed grouse, Columbia spotted frog, loggerhead shrike northern goshawk, bull trout, and white sturgeon.

There are 22 public boat launches on the lake as well as 28 year round campgrounds, some only accessible by boat. At the Kettle Falls Marina, houseboats are available to rent. Of course being that the Blue Moose cabins are located near the Lake we recommend staying with us and remind you that we have legal boat mooring and beach access to those staying with us.

In the Lake Roosevelt area start by knowing if you are on Tribal, County, Private, Stateor Federal land. We can help you with websites and telephone numbers to assure you of a safe and enjoyable visit. Confederated Tribal Lands border some of the lake and have their own regulations, but generally, a Washington State license is required to hunt or fish at Lake Roosevelt.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/laro

 

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