Technology and Innovation Land Ladder Creek Falls Outdoor Lighting Design Award

The Ladder Creek Falls light show still creates a paradise of color in the wilderness. Seattle City Light’s restoration of the historic Ladder Creek Falls light show at the Skagit Hydroelectric Project won a Paul Waterbury Award for Outdoor Lighting Design Excellence from the Illuminating Engineering Society. “The lights at Ladder Creek Falls were installed by City Light’s second superintendent, J.D. Ross, in the 1920s and 30s as part of his efforts to win public appreciation for the municipally owned Skagit Hydroelectric Project,” said Jorge Carrasco, the utility’s current superintendent. “Ross was intrigued by the possibilities for using light in artistic ways and wanted to create what he called, ‘a paradise of color in the wilderness.’” “By using energy efficient technology, the restoration project preserves a valued legacy for City Light and the award recognizes that innovation successfully restored and enhanced J.D.’s original vision,” Carrasco said. “I know he would be thrilled to see so many people enjoying the Ladder Creek Falls light show more than 80 years after he installed the first lights.” Read the rest of the story and find Seattle City Lights video of the Falls here.