Sinkhole on the spring river

[snagged in outlet 3]

I thought the same thing.  Might have turned into a cool water fall over time. 

Put a track hoe in there and get that fixed!!!

[MOPanfisher]

Eh, a maybe waterfall vs. Dead swimmers, easy choice and a pretty simple fix really.

[jdmidwest]

It was a cool waterfall back in the 80's, then the channel opened up on left side and dewatered it for most part.  I remember running it in a canoe, about a 4 or 5 ft drop.

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

That would give the name more sense.  We floated it on rafts the week before, and did a few years ago.  Never understood the reason for the name.   

[jdmidwest]

I think there was a blasting event that created the channel on the left in the first place.  Diverted the traffic by the stripper pole.  Stripper pole owner is sore that the channel is back in the middle. 

I remember the first time over the falls, we strapped down fishing gear and made the run.  I was in front of the 17' aluminum canoe and the front sunk under the water then popped back up.  I looked back over the shoulder and it seemed to be about a 45 degree incline.  You could not see back upstream over the falls. 

Back then, not many on the stream on a given day.  We started pulling out before the falls because the fishing dropped off and water slowed down.  Too much paddling.

Now days, we float Dam 3 to Riverside and make it last as long as we want.  The river has many new houses and tenants along it now, but we have gotten to know many of them over the years.  We still catch fish.  And enjoy the river for what it is.  On a weekday, its the same as it always was many years ago.

I read a story about what really happened to the floaters.  Seemed like one was sucked all the way thru the sinkhole.  The one that did not make it got hit in the head by another kayak when he got sucked into it and did not make it.  Tragic and sad story.  I have seen Darwin try many, many times on that river to claim someone.  But it seems like dumb luck may have gotten this one.