Roughlock Falls is located on Little Spearfish Creek. The water originates from a large spring discharging from the Madison Limestone about 3 miles above the falls. The discharge of Little Spearfish Creek measured at a USGS gaging station below the falls, and is approximately 13 cfs.
The name of the falls, dates to pioneer days when a steep road by the creek forced wagon drivers to “rough lock” (chain a wagon wheel to control the weight of the load).
Decimal Degrees: Latitude: Longitude: 44.34998, -103.9430036
Links:
South Dakota Academy of Science
South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
Visit Spearfish
South Dakota Magazine