Burney Falls

Situated on the Modoc Plateau east of the Cascade Range, McArthur Burney Memorial State Park is home to a wonderful waterfall. Two large cascades plunge 129 feet while numerous ribbons of water pour out all along the rock wall. The result is unlike any waterfall I’ve ever seen. To the casual observer it would seem that Burney Creek provides a continuous supply of water for the falls. But during part of the year the creek is bone dry and still millions of gallons of water tumble over and seep out through the rocks. One must understand volcanism and how lava flows and about subterranean lakes and streams to fully appreciate why there is a falls even when the stream is dry. All that water in various places underground feeds springs, which provide a year round supply of water for the falls. How much water is there in Burney Falls? How about an estimated 100 million gallons per day! It is one of handful of waterfalls in California that has a good flow throughout the year. It is not the highest or the largest waterfall in California, but it is quite possibly the most beautiful cascade of water, if not the most spectacular in the state. From the falls the water flows down Burney Creek and feeds into Lake Britton.
    Burney Falls was named for a pioneer, Samuel Burney, who settled in the area sometime in the 1850s. Later, the McArthurs arrived and set up housekeeping. The two families saved the land surrounding the falls from being developed, by buying the property and then giving it to the state in the 1920s.
    The waterfall drew the attention of a famous outdoorsman, Teddy Roosevelt, who called it the eighth wonder of the world. I can just imagine him seeing the falls for the first time. The sun glinting off those famous pince-nez, the toothy grin, the riding breeches, his roughrider hat at a jaunty angle. “What do you think of the waterfall, Mr. President?” “Bully....bully falls.” “Beg your pardon Sir, that’s Burney Falls.”