Snake River Falls changes/modifications over the years.

I'll start by saying that last night was the first time I've ridden Snake River Falls since, probably some time in either the late 90's or early 2000's - so that will show you how much attention I've paid to it in recent years.

I noticed that there are skid brakes running the length of the drop now, which can *really* be felt. To me, it no longer feels like you're even rolling down the hill, rather just skidding/grinding your way down. I noticed those at the beginning of the year, and Adam pointed out that they re-did the pull out of the drop and made for a shallow, less abrupt entry into the water, which was also very evident while on the ride. It seems to skid across the top, before landing in the water with a less than spectacular splash, these days.

I remember that slash throwing a huge plume of water up over the bridge, and now it seems to just kind of fizzle out.

So, I'd like to discuss the differences over the years, because I'm curious.

Does anyone have photos of the ride before/after modifications, including the splash or anything like that?

I'm not sure why I'm so interested in this, but I'm thinking the ride is a shadow of its former, drenching self. It makes me wonder why the modifications were made to this particular one, but other parks seem to have theirs running without them. Or, were these mods made elsewhere and I just don't know/care enough to be up to speed?

I just remember that it was recently re-painted.

Not sure if you knew about this from last year. Posted by rmrufe.

Link rmrufe July 1, 2013, 8:07P
Re: Snake River Falls Derailed

I just posted a pic of the "derailed" SRF from this past Saturday afternoon on my Twitter account @RyanRufe. http://twitter.com/RyanRufe/status/351853628178448384/photo/1

I remember when it was new they changed the lap bars from a conventional round lap bar to the ones that go up your chest. They also built up the flume in the turn after the drop to make the wall a little higher. Then, of course, a few years ago they added the drop brakes. I think they are magnetic brakes though, not skid brakes.

You are correct about the brakes Pete.

I wasn't sure if they were magnetic or not, but that makes sense. Was the drop/runout redone to make it less of a sudden stop, too?

I seem remember it flying down the drop and kind of slamming into/creating a wall of water. I noticed that it still soaks the riders as much as it always has, but it seems that it doesn't make as much of a dynamic splash for the spectators anymore.

I was aware of the derailment, but I'm assuming these mods were all done in the years before that. I know the concrete trough is a few inches higher now, but that's not as major a change.

So SRF is open now? Every time I have been there thus year it has not been running.

I was there yesterday and SRF and STR both opened around noon and closed early around 6 or 7. I don't even think Thunder Canyon was open at all. So the water rides are open, just not the entire day. If I remember correctly Thunder Canyon is the only water ride that is supposed to open late and close early, but the others seem to open late close early now too.

^Weather is also a factor. With a sunny and warm day, the water rides will open around 11 and close around park closing.

I'm not absolutely sure, but I think all water rides, along with the Cedar Creek Mine Ride, and Mean Streak are supposed to open at 11.