Nebraskaland

May 2024 • Nebraskaland 27 water fl uctuations of longer creeks and rivers. Smith Creek's consistent 50-degree water, with an average fl ow of 2.59 cubic feet per second, satisfi es visitors year-round. Inch-for-inch, it surely gets more people wet than any other natural tributary in the state. While the fall may seem consistent within our lifetimes, it's constantly changing, as with all stream systems, and is in the stage of a geological cycle. The geology of the Niobrara Valley gives its waterfalls a notable characteristic. Smith Falls and others in the valley are convex, meaning the water fl ows over the top of a face that protrudes outward from the center. In winter, the sides of Smith Falls and others often become adorned with attractive icicles while the spring water continues to fl ow through the center. As groundwater in the sandstone at the sides freezes and thaws, it loosens the material and makes it subject to erosion. Darryl Pederson, a professor emeritus at the University of Nebraska who has extensively researched waterfalls, said someday Smith Falls will look much diff erent. Eventually, the water will veer to one side of the rock protrusion instead of fl owing over the top of it. Then, the protrusion itself will no longer be protected by the spring water and will be subject to freezing, thawing and breaking up. As it stands, though, Smith Falls is a point of pride for Nebraska, and many say it holds its own on a larger scene. "Niagara appeals to you by its grandeur, but the Arikaree by its dainty beauty far surpasses any other falls on the continent," a newspaper reporter wrote in 1908. Thanks to the many improvements to the state park, more people are enjoying the "Place of the Roaring Water" than ever before. And, with each passing day, the water continues to fall for whomever wants to see, feel and hear its timeless charms. N How High is It? For as long as people have written about Smith Falls, they've been assigning a number to its height. It's been reported as high as 100 feet tall but is usually listed between 60 to 75 feet. The first "official" measurement — 68 feet — is believed to have been made by Dr. George Condra of the state conservation and soil survey in the 1910s. For uncertain reasons, the official height has changed since then. The National Park Service reports that it was last measured to be 63 feet. Park service employees plan to join Game and Parks and other partners in measuring the falls again this year using a process that involves a rangefinder, clinometer and knowledge of trigonometry. The new 500-foot walkway features wheelchair ramps, benches and a scenic vantage at its midpoint. First known as Arikaree Falls, Smith Falls State Park is located 12 miles east-northeast of Valentine and 3 miles southwest of Sparks, on the south side of the Niobrara River. Smith Falls State Park

• Cover