Snoqualmie River, WA

The Snoqualmie River is a 45-mile (72 km) long river in King County and Snohomish County in the U.S. state of Washington. The river's three main tributaries are the North, Middle, and South Forks, which drain the west side of the Cascade Mountains near the town of North Bend and join near the town of Snoqualmie just above the Snoqualmie Falls. After the falls the river flows north through rich farmland and the towns of Fall City, Carnation, and Duvall before meeting the Skykomish River to form the Snohomish River near Monroe. The Snohomish River empties into Puget Sound at Everett. Other tributaries of the Snoqualmie River include the Taylor River and the Pratt River, both of which enter the Middle Fork, the Tolt River, which joins at Carnation, and the Raging River at Fall City.

Many of the Snoqualmie River's headwaters originate as snowmelt within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. On August 8, 2007, U.S. Representative Dave Reichert (WA-08), King County Executive Ron Sims, and others announced a proposal to expand the Alpine Lakes Wilderness to include the valley of the Pratt River, a tributary of the Middle Fork, near the town of North Bend. The proposal would also give the Pratt River National Wild and Scenic River status.

The South Fork, approximately 31 miles (50 km) long,, begins at the outlet of tiny Source Lake, 47°27′18″N 121°27′9″W / 47.455°N 121.4525°W / 47.455; -121.4525, and flows southeast before soon turning southwest and continuing to flow in that direction until after Denny Creek joins. It then flows west for a bit before turning northwest and continuing in that general direction until it merges with the Snoqualmie River Proper just above Snoqualmie Falls. It drops over a total of 6 waterfalls (many would argue 8 because many people divide the final one into three portions).
 
The Middle Fork Snoqualmie River near North Bend. Mt. Washington is in the background.The Middle Fork, approximately 41 miles (66 km) long,, originates from Chains Lakes,47°33′30″N 121°14′15″W / 47.55833°N 121.2375°W / 47.55833; -121.2375, and flows south to Williams Lake, then in an easterly direction until it meets with the North Fork near North Bend. It receives the waters of the Taylor River and the Pratt River in short order about halfway between its source and its mouth. It has one major waterfall along its course.

The Middle Fork Valley is a popular recreational area since it is accessible during the winter due to its low altitude and close proximity to Seattle. The Middle Fork Road (currently 18 miles long but gated due to flood damage at 12.5 miles) is on the 1920's and 30's era railroad grade of the North Bend Timber Company. The Middle Fork Valley was heavily logged starting in 1923 and continued up through the 1970's. The obvious railroad grades, pilings, and related debris are from the North Bend Timber Company's company's activity from 1923 to 1941.

The North Fork, approximately 28 miles (45 km) long,, originates at the outlet of small, rarely visited Lake Kanim ,47°39′41″N 121°28′58″W / 47.66139°N 121.48278°W / 47.66139; -121.48278. Almost directly after exiting the lake it drops over Kanim Falls. The river then flows east before making a wide turn north. Just before its confluence with the Middle Fork the river flows through a canyon near Ernie's Grove. There are several waterfalls within this canyon including Fantastic Falls.