Crooked Falls

Crooked Falls are most distinctive during periods of high water. Both Lewis and Clark remarked that the falls had a unique appearance, which led to the naming of the falls as "Crooked Falls." The captains observed that the falls were not straight like the other four falls of the Missouri River. The underlying rock has been eroded by the force of the water into a horseshoe shape. For many years the falls were nicknamed "Horseshoe Falls" due to their appearance. "... The water glides down the side of a sloping rock with a volocity almost equal to that of it's perpendicular desent. just above this rappid the river makes a suddon bend to the right or Northwardly..." -Captain Meriwether Lewis. June 14, 1805.