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 document contains the specific directions for reaching our featured Lesson Site as well as a detailed explanation of its geologic story. Mileage to the site as well as its specific coordinates are listed on the header above and also in the lesson document. Roadmaps and other learning aids can be found at the Lesson Resources link in the menu and are helpful to have handy in the field. Please print this document and take it with you or read it thoroughly before departing. 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.