12 Facts About Shoshone Falls

Shoshone Falls is a waterfall in the western United States, on the Snake River in south-central Idaho, approximately three miles northeast of the city of Twin Falls.

Sometimes called the "Niagara of the West, " Shoshone Falls is 212 feet in height, 45 feet higher than Niagara Falls, and flows over a rim nearly one thousand feet in width.

City of Twin Shoshone Falls owns and operates a park overlooking the waterfall.

Shoshone Falls is best viewed in the spring, as diversion of the Snake River can significantly diminish water levels in the late summer and fall.

Shoshone Falls is in the Snake River Canyon on the border of Jerome and Twin Falls counties, 615 miles upstream from the Snake River's confluence with the Columbia River.

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Idaho Power's Shoshone Falls Dam is located directly upstream from the falls and diverts water to the Shoshone hydroelectric plant, further reducing the water volume.

Shoshone Falls are named for the Lemhi Shoshone or Agaidika people, who depended on the Snake River's immense salmon runs as their primary food source, though they supplemented their diet with various roots, nuts and large game such as buffalo.

Shoshone Falls became a tourist attraction in the mid-19th century, despite its inhospitable and isolated surroundings.

Shoshone Falls later became involved in the tourist business, starting a ferry and a stagecoach service, and building the Blue Lakes Hotel.

Senator Clark and others who owned land at Shoshone Falls filed a lawsuit against the Twin Falls Land and Water Company, but were defeated in the Idaho Supreme Court in 1904.

The city of Twin Shoshone Falls was incorporated in 1905, on lands originally platted for town development as part of the irrigation project.

Today, Shoshone Falls Park encompasses the south bank of the Snake River at the falls.