Nature’s Art Below Long Slide Falls
June 17, 2024 | Topics: Places
Story and photos by Christel Maass
On a recent visit to Long Slide Falls, one of the many beautiful waterfalls in Marinette County, I found myself captivated by the foamy art continually transforming on the toffee-brown water below the thundering falls.
The foam is natural, the result of heavier spring flows breaking down organic matter, sort of like a well-churned tea.
Sudsy heaps collected along the banks or were caught in branches midstream until the current captured boats of bubbles and floated them along, some looking like wedding cakes, which broke apart when they rode through the cascades further downstream.
I had a grand time watching ever-changing rafts of frothy shapes and swirls rush down the watercourse, known as the Pemebonwon River, which empties into the Menominee on the Wisconsin/Michigan border.
Since it was overcast, with more rain to supply waterfalls on the way, it was a great day to take close-up photographs of nature’s watery designs.
Following are some images I captured during my bankside ramble:
Poking around closer to the dramatic falls before leaving, I found a watery version of a Japanese garden.
As you can tell, I found plenty to admire below Long Slide Falls. Next time you visit a waterfall—any waterfall—be sure to look for nature’s creations downstream.
If you adventure to Marinette County, detailed information on the location of the county’s many waterfalls can be found online, or in visitor guides picked up en route.
Long Slide Falls is fairly easy to get to off of Hwy 141, in the county’s far north, though some might find the path to the bottom of the falls a bit steep. If you’re in the area, Smalley Falls is nearby, and for a change of pace, Morgan Park, also on the same road, offers a peaceful lakeside respite, as well as a hike up a rocky escarpment with lovely views from the top.
Christel Maass, a Master Naturalist, enjoys exploring Wisconsin’s special places and finding nature’s surprises.
More stories from Christel Maass in The Natural Realm:
A Woodland Sculpture Garden and a Wilderness Walk
Enjoying Point Beach State Forest!
Winter Waterfalls: Manitowoc and Brown Counties
A Wintertime Walk Along Harrington Beach
One thought on "Nature’s Art Below Long Slide Falls"
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Interesting images! Do you think there was stuff in the water, like soap, or just lots of air bubbles from the falls?