Douglass Houghton Falls
Douglass Houghton Falls (also known as Houghton Douglass Falls or Douglass Falls or Houghton Falls[1]) is Michigan's tallest waterfall at 110 feet (34 m) from the top where Hammell Creek cascades to its base. It is located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula between Laurium and Lake Linden just off Highway M-26. Prior to 2018, the waterfall was privately owned[2] and access to the waterfall was restricted due to its dangerous geological makeup. The waterfall is situated in a deep gorge that is flanked by sharp loose rock. Multiple deaths have been reported at this location; the most recent one was in September 2011.[3] Douglass Houghton, for whom Douglass Houghton Falls is named, was Michigan's first geologist.[4]
Douglass Houghton Falls | |
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Location | Houghton County, Michigan |
Coordinates | 47.20700°N 88.42758°W |
Type | Cascade |
Total height | 110 feet (34 m) |
Number of drops | 1 |
Watercourse | Hammell Creek |
Houghton Douglass Falls is currently projected to open as a Michigan state park and veterans memorial. Purchasing was approved by Rick Snyder in 2016.[5] The land was sold to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources by the property owner, Jim Kuusisto, in September 2018 for $300,000.[2] The property includes 70 acres of land along Hammell Creek and frontage along M-26.[6]
Hungarian Falls is around two miles south of Douglass Houghton Falls.[7]
References
- [https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=138:3:0::NO:3:P3_FID,P3_TITLE:628663,Houghton%20Falls Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) ID:628663
- Powell, Mariah. "Veteran sells Houghton-Douglass Falls property for DNR scenic site". www.uppermichiganssource.com. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
- "Fall from Cliff Kills U.P. Man". The Mining Journal. Houghton, MI. September 12, 2011. Archived from the original on December 24, 2011. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
- Wallin, Helen (2004). Douglass Houghton: Michigan's First State Geologist 1837–1845 (PDF) (Pamphlet). Lansing: Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. Retrieved October 6, 2013.
- Snyder Signs Off On Funds To Buy Douglass Houghton Falls. Lansing. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
- "Parks and Recreation Land Acquisition" (PDF). August 13, 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 8, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
- "Hungarian Falls". Pure Michigan. Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Douglass Houghton Falls
- McLaren, Noël (September 10, 2011). "Man Falls to Death at Douglass Houghton Falls". Upper Michigan's Source. Negaunee, MI: WLUC-TV. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
- "Fatal Fall at Douglass Houghton Falls". Ishpeming, MI: WBUP-TV. September 12, 2011. Retrieved February 4, 2016.