Just outside of Branson Missouri sits Silver Dollar City. Tucked into the rolling Ozark Mountains; it has a rich history of family, friends and food. Opening in 1960, Silver Dollar City has been a staple of family trips and children’s imaginations. Their 61 acres of amusement is annually visited by 2.2 million people. Many come for the 1800’s-style experience from variety shows, boutique shops, peanut brittle & glass blowing. Others come for the adventure rides like “Fire in the Hole” or the anti-gravity house, “Grandfather’s Mansion”. In 2020 Silver Dollar City became home to the tallest drop on a water raft ride in the Western Hemisphere. Their new present to adventure seekers is Mystic River Falls, a truly unique and one of a kind experience

The new $23 Million investment has a unique appeal complimented with exposed galvanized steel mixed with coated steel to showcase the overall 1800’s theme to the park. The color and design takes the crowds back in time to recreate only what can be imagined from books and photographs. However, no one could have imagined the 2,100 linear feet of channel and a towering steel lift to elevate the rafts for an 8 story drop. The pick to galvanize this steel offered a longer life-span, structural endurance, and investment security. While the ride is designed for beauty and charm; durability and stamina were no afterthought.

Mystic River Falls starts with a “not so lazy” river pumping out 200,000 gallons of water per minute. The river thrusts rafts into tumbling waves on a course of rapids with audiences waving. Prepare yourself for the raft lift next! Standing 82 feet tall, their steel lift elevator is able to maneuver 4 rafts simultaneously with a 180 degree motion to keep the heart’s pumping and shorten the ride’s wait-times. Suspended 8 stories high riders are exposed to the scenic surroundings of Ozark Forest. There is no other platform elevator like this in the world. Rafts are then released down a spiral of adrenaline to meet the largest drop in the Western Hemisphere for any of its kind.

Mystic River Falls was built to stand the tests of time and nature. Hot dip galvanizing ensures longevity and protection from the pumping water, submersion, and constant contact. For aesthetic and enhanced creativity, many of the galvanized portions were painted with a duplex based topical coat to assist the already lustering zinc color. While the flowing water is filtered and chlorinated, the structural integrity will be protected by not only the paint but the galvanized steel beneath. Utilizing this painted and galvanized combination brings a synergistic affect to the steel. Enhanced corrosion control in this combination is a growing preference in the hot dip galvanizing market as it can nearly double the coating expectancy. This dual coating technique extends the limitation of endurance while offering the outlet of creative freedom in design.

Along with the over 22 semi-loads of steel and metal with finished product incorporates a diverse appeal including over 6,000 tons of landscaping rock, 220,000 feet of timbers, and nearly 7,000 cubic yards of concrete. Mystic River Falls will be a memory for generations to come with material ready to take on the diverse climate. This ride will withstand the harsh winters and blistering heat of the Midwest. The riders will try to withstand the rough waters, chilling splash, and breath-taking drop. Hold on tight!