Gooseberry Falls State Park Sees Raging Waterfalls

TWO HARBORS, Minn. — Warmer weather and rain in December are causing roaring water at Gooseberry Falls State Park.

If it were a colder or more normal winter the falls would be frozen over and there wouldn’t be any moving water on the outside of the ice, according to an interpretive naturalist at the park.

Water levels were almost at their falls levels but are constantly changing which means the ice is changing and making different looking icicles so, there’s always something new to see. Ice is important to the park as it is a protective barrier.

“When we have ice buildup on the shore it actually protects the rocks and you know the shore, the banks from erosion which is something that we fight against a lot here at the park,” said Michaela Rice, interpretive naturalist for Gooseberry Falls State Park.

The naturalist says all trails at Gooseberry are accessible and without snow it is less dangerous for those who want to explore.