Little Spearfish Creek is indeed little but it feeds the premier waterfall in Spearfish Canyon. This realization permits us to say with great certainty that the little creek's accomplishments belie its scrawny name. Come with us and solve the mystery behind the creek we have come to know as "Old Faithful." It may be small but its persistence will impress you. 

This pdf Lesson Guide contains the specific directions for reaching our featured site as well as a detailed explanation of its geologic story. Mileage and coordinates are provided in each document and roadmaps and other learning aids can be found at the Lesson Resources link in the sidebar menu. The document is most useful if taken with you to the lesson site. Exercise extreme caution at the lesson site and along roadways.

Are you ready. . . . Let's Go!                                                S. V.  Fogarty   &   W. R.  Stevens

*Mileage starts at the intersection Colorado Bvd. and US 14A near Spearfish.

Here we see the streamgage for Little Spearfish Creek which is used to measure the height or stage of the creek at any point in time. This gage is positioned directly in the Little Spearfish Creek bed and sits directly across the road from the USGS gaging station. The gage height of the creek relates directly to the creek's discharge or streamflow. See map above.