City Government of Big Falls
Big Falls is a small city of about 160 people in southern Koochiching County, situated along the Big Fork River on Highway 71. It’s about 35 miles south of International Falls. Small as it is, the city has its own government, fire
department, and a community that keeps things running.
About Big Falls
Big Falls sits right on the Big Fork River at the spot where the river drops through a stretch of whitewater and boulders. That stretch of rapids is what gave the town its name.
The area has a logging history that goes back to the late 1800s. Timber was cut upstream during the winter, then floated down the Big Fork River to the mills in International Falls when the ice broke up in spring. The falls were a
problem spot for log drives. Logs would pile up on the rocks, and river drivers sometimes spent days breaking up the jams. A stone building from 1930 still stands in town, along with a two-story wooden statue of a river driver
lumberjack that was placed in 1990 to commemorate the log drives that ended in 1932.
The Big Fork River is still a draw today. It’s one of the better musky rivers in the region and supports walleye, northern pike, and smallmouth bass fishing. Canoe and kayak outfitters operate in the area with rental and shuttle
services.
City Council
The Big Falls City Council meets on the second Monday of each month. Council meetings are open to the public. Agendas and minutes are posted on the city’s website at bigfalls.govoffice.com.
Fire and EMS
The Big Falls Fire/EMS Department is a volunteer operation based at 212 Big Fork Ave N. The department has paid-per-call firefighters and volunteer support staff. Like many rural departments across the county, they rely on volunteers to provide fire and emergency medical coverage for the town.
