List of waterfalls in Hamilton, Ontario

Hamilton, Ontario is home to more than 100 waterfalls and cascades, most of which are on or near the Bruce Trail as it winds through the Niagara Escarpment. Hamilton known as "The City of Waterfalls" brands itself as "The Waterfall Capital of The World." cite web|publisher=(www.cityofwaterfalls.ca) from Joe Hollick's list| title =Hamilton- Waterfall Capital of the World| url=http://www.cityofwaterfalls.ca/| accessdate = 2008-07-05] Ontario's internationally recognized Niagara Escarpment provides perfect geological conditions for waterfalls to occur, from Tobermory to Niagara Falls.

The most scenic waterfall in Hamilton is Webster's Falls. With its 30 metres (98 ft) crest, it is the largest within the city.cite web|publisher=(www.cityofwaterfalls.ca)| title =Hamilton- Waterfall Capital of the World| url=http://www.cityofwaterfalls.ca/| accessdate = 2008-08-20] Tew's Falls, is a 41 metre ribbon waterfall, only a few metres shorter than Niagara Falls, and is the tallest waterfall found in Hamilton. Both Webster's and Tew's are located at the Spencer Gorge / Webster's Falls Conservation Area.cite web|publisher=(www.cityofwaterfalls.ca)| title =Hamilton- Waterfall Capital of the World| url=http://www.cityofwaterfalls.ca/| accessdate = 2008-08-20] Albion Falls was once seriously considered as a possible source of water for Hamilton. Rocks from the Albion Falls area were used in the construction of the Royal Botanical Gardens' Rock Garden.cite web|url=http://www.conservationhamilton.ca/parks/visit/Albion_falls.asp|title=Hamilton Conservation Authority: Parks & Attractions- Albion Falls|accessdate=2008-08-20]

At one time there were more waterfalls in Hamilton than what is there today. Many of the waterfalls in central Hamilton slowly vanished as population and construction numbers for Hamilton Mountain increased. As well, in the early years, James Street extended south, but was interrupted by a bog at Hunter Street which eventually (1844) was drained out and graded.cite book|title=Footsteps In Time: Exploring Hamilton's heritage neighbourhoods|first=Bill |last=Manson |publisher=North Shore Publishing Inc|year=2003|id= ISBN 1-896899-22-6] Many of Hamilton's main buildings and factories in the north end are built on reclaimed or infilled land, which harmed the drainage of Hamilton and the water ecology of Hamilton Harbour.

Many of the falls in west Hamilton are accessible from the Chedoke Radial Trail. It is built on what was once the route for the Brantford and "Hamilton Electric Railway" owned by the "Cataract Power Light and Traction Company" (later Dominion Power and Transmission).cite web|url=http://www.conservationhamilton.ca/parks/visit/scenicfalls.asp|title=Hamilton Conservation Authority: Parks & Attractions- Scenic Falls|accessdate=2008-08-20] The "Five Johns", (John Cameron, John Dickenson (Canadian politician), John Morison Gibson, John Moodie, Sr. and John Sutherland), formed "The Cataract Power Co. Ltd." introducing electric power to Hamilton in 1898. On August 25th 1898, power was sent twenty seven miles from "DeCew Falls", St. Catharines, using water from the old Welland Canal. New industries, such as the forerunners of the Steel Co. of Canada (Stelco) and Canadian Westinghouse, were attracted here by the cheaper, more efficient power. One time this Company controlled hydro power from Brantford to St. Catharines, including the Hamilton Street Railway and the area's radial lines. Back then the city's nickname was "The Electric City."cite book|title=Dictionary of Hamilton Biography (Vol II, 1876-1924)|first=Thomas Melville |last=Bailey|publisher=W.L. Griffin Ltd|year=1991] There are four waterfall types and they are designated as follows:

* "Ribbon"- The height is notably greater than its crest width; stream forms a thin "ribbon" of water.

* "Classical"- The height and crest width are nearly equal.

* "Curtain"- The height is notably smaller than its crest width.

* "Cascade"- The vertical drop is broken into a series of steps causing water to "cascade" down incline.

Some of the criteria used to define a separate Hamilton waterfall include; The waterfall has to have a vertical drop of at least 3 metres or convert|10|ft|m either as a vertical drop or a cascade; The crest width has to be at least 1 metre or convert|3|ft|m wide; The waterfall must have some natural component and not be entirely man-made; If a waterfall is beside another waterfall but coming from two separate creeks or streams, then they could be considered as two separate waterfalls and the waterfall has to be located within the boundaries of the new City of Hamilton.cite web|publisher=(www.hamiltonnature.org/)| title =Hamilton Naturalist's Club: Protecting Nature since 1919| url=http://www.hamiltonnature.org/| accessdate = 2008-07-19]

On January 1 2001 the new city of Hamilton was formed from the amalgamation of the Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth and its six municipalities: Hamilton, Ancaster, Dundas, Flamborough, Glanbrook, and Stoney Creek. Before amalgamation, the "old" City of Hamilton had 331,121 Hamiltonians divided into 100 neighbourhoods. The new amalgamated city has 490,268 people in over 200 neighbourhoods.cite book|title=Footsteps In Time: Exploring Hamilton's heritage neighbourhoods|first=Bill |last=Manson |publisher=North Shore Publishing Inc|year=2003|isbn=1-896899-22-6]

tatistics

The numbers below were compiled by the Hamilton Conservation Authority and can be found in a publication they put out November 1st, 2007 titled, 'Hamilton Waterfalls and Cascades: Research & Inventory Report (Second Edition).' At the time of this publication the waterfall count for Hamilton was 96 waterfalls.

The Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) has managed the natural environment in partnership with the City of Hamilton and the Province of Ontario to help ensure a safe and sustainable community. As one of 36 conservation authorities in the province, HCA protects water sources, guards against flooding and erosion, manages conservation and recreational lands, and promotes environmental stewardship and education.cite book| title = Hamilton Waterfalls and Cascades: Research & Inventory Report, 2nd Edition| publisher = Hamilton Conservation Authority| date = November 2007| pages = 22-44]

The Authority is the region's largest environmental management agency, owning or managing about 4.000 hectares (10,000 acres) of environmentally significant land. Its recreational lands range from long distance trails and relatively passive natural areas, such as the Dundas Valley, "Christie Lake" and "Valens" conservation areas, to more developed sites on the lakefront, like "Confederation Park" and "Fifty Point Conservation Area and Marina."cite book| title = Hamilton Waterfalls and Cascades: Research & Inventory Report, 2nd Edition| publisher = Hamilton Conservation Authority| date = November 2007| pages = 22-44]


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Waterfalls list

A listing of the 100 waterfalls found along the Bruce Trail and the Niagara Escarpment in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Most can be easily accessed, or viewed by public lands and some are on or border private property. The list below was compiled by Joe Hollick, (with some original work done by Steve Head). The list can also be found at "The Hamilton Naturalists' Club" official web site. As of July, 2008, the waterfall count for Hamilton was 100.cite web|publisher=(www.cityofwaterfalls.ca) from Joe Hollick's list| title =Hamilton- Waterfall Capital of the World| url=http://www.cityofwaterfalls.ca/| accessdate = 2008-07-05] Twenty of the waterfalls are found to be currently innaccessible because they are either on private property in which the Bruce Trail does not traverse or its too dangerous to access these waterfalls.cite book| title = Hamilton Waterfalls and Cascades: Research & Inventory Report, 2nd Edition| publisher = Hamilton Conservation Authority| date = November 2007| pages = 50-51] cite web|publisher=(www.hamiltonnature.org/)| title =Hamilton Naturalist's Club: Hamilton- The City of Waterfalls| url=http://www.hamiltonnature.org/localspecies/waterfalls_intro.htm| accessdate = 2008-07-28]

* Albion Falls
* Ancaster Heights Falls
* Baby Webster’s Falls
* Betzner Falls (P)
* Billy Green Falls
* Borer's Falls
* Boundary Falls
* Buttermilk Falls
* Canterbury Falls
* Centennial Falls
* Chedoke Falls
* Cliffview Falls
* Darnley Cascade
* Denlow Falls
* Devil's Punch Bowl
* Dewitt Falls
* Dundas Falls (P-CN)
* Dyment Falls
* East Glover’s Falls
* East Iroquoia Falls
* East of Fifty Falls (P)
* Erland Falls (P-CN)
* Felker's Falls
* Ferguson Falls
* Fifty Road Cascade
* Fruitland Falls (P-CN)
* Glendale Falls
* Glover’s Falls
* Grand Cascade
* Great Falls
* Greensville Falls
* Grindstone Cascade
* Heritage Falls
* Hermitage Cascade
* Jones Road Falls (P-CN)
* Lafarge Falls (P)
* Lewis Road East Falls (P)
* Lewis Road West Falls (P)
* Little Canterbury Falls
* Little Davis Falls
* Little Falls
* Little Rock Chapel Falls
* Lower Beckett Falls
* Lower Borer's Falls
* Lower Chedoke Falls
* Lower Cliffview Falls
* Lower Fruitland Falls (P-CN)
* Lower Hopkins Cascade
* Lower Little Falls
* Lower Mill Falls
* Lower Punchbowl Falls
* Lower Sanatorium Cascade
* Lower Sydenham Falls
* Lower Tews Falls
* Lower Westcliffe Falls
* McNeilly Falls
* McNeilly West Falls (P)
* Middle Sydenham Falls
* Middle Vinemount Falls (P-CN)
* Mill Falls
* Mineral Springs Falls
* Mountview Falls
* Old Dundas Road Falls (P)
* Pond Falls
* Princess Falls
* Progreston Falls (P)
* Promontory Falls (P)
* Puddicombe Falls
* Quarry Falls (P)
* Ridge Falls (P-CN)
* Samuel Cascade (P)
* Scenic Falls
* Shaver Falls
* Sherman Falls
* Sisters of Mary Falls (P)
* Spring Falls (P)
* Springhill Falls
* Stephanie Falls (P)
* Steven’s Falls
* Sydenham Falls
* Tallman East Falls (P)
* Tallman West Falls (P-CN)
* Tews Falls
* Tiffany Falls
* Upper Beckett Falls
* Upper Hopkins Cascade
* Upper Princess Falls
* Upper Quarry Cascade (P)
* Upper Sanatorium Falls
* Upper Shaver Falls (P)
* Veever’s Falls (P)
* Wall Falls (P-CN)
* Washboard Falls
* Webster's Falls
* Weir's Falls (P)
* West Iroquoia Falls
* West of Fifty Lower Falls (P)
* West of Fifty Upper Cascade
* West Vinemount Falls (P-CN)
* Westcliffe Falls
There are 18 waterfalls from this list, (and the expanded list below), that are either 18 metres in height or 18 metres wide. They are the ones designated in bold type.

Expanded waterfall list

There are two primary sources used for the waterfall count in Hamilton. The first is a book put out by the Hamilton Conservation Authority called "Hamilton Waterfalls and Cascades- Research & Inventory Report (Second Edition November 1, 2007)." The second source is a list compiled by the Hamilton Naturalists' Club and can be found at their web site. The book lists 96 and the web site lists 100 waterfalls. When you cross-reference the two you end up getting five extra waterfalls from the book that are not listed at the web site. This then brings the grand total of Hamilton waterfalls up to 105. These extra five waterfalls are listed below:

Note: Both Lower and Middle Quarry Cascades are based in Burlington right near the Hamilton/ Burlington city boundary line. Their watersource, Grindstone Creek and Upper Quarry Cascade are both based in Hamilton. As well, Lower and Snake Falls are based in Burlington but the property there is owned by the City of Hamilton.cite book| title = Hamilton Waterfalls and Cascades: Research & Inventory Report, 2nd Edition| publisher = Hamilton Conservation Authority| date = November 2007| pages = 22-44]

* Lower Quarry Cascade (P)
* Lower Snake Falls
* Middle Quarry Cascade (P)
* Snake Falls
* Vinemount East Falls (P-CN)

Thirty four of these 105 waterfalls lie on private property. 11 are owned by CN (Canadian National Railway) and 23 are by individual property owners. In some cases waterfalls found on private properties can still be accessed with permission from the owners. With some of the other waterfalls found on private properties they are off limits entirely.

*Private properties owned by CN are designated with: (P-CN)
*Private properties not owned by CN designated with: (P)

Undiscovered waterfalls

There are actually more waterfalls than is what listed here. There are a lot of areas on the escarpment that are impossible or dangerous to get to which makes the finding and recording even more of a challenge. For example there are 4 waterfalls between "Albion Falls" and "Buttermilk Falls" in East Hamilton that are not recorded on both lists supplied by the Hamilton Conservation Authority and the Hamilton Naturalists' Club that were discovered the summer of 2008 by Hamilton philanthropist and business leader Chris Ecklund.

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References

External links

* [http://www.cityofwaterfalls.ca/ Hamilton- "The Waterfall Capital of the World" (www.cityofwaterfalls.ca)]
* [http://www.conservationhamilton.ca/parks/visit/waterfalls.asp Hamilton Conservation Authority- Waterfalls (www.conservationhamilton.ca)]
* [http://www.hamiltonnature.org/localspecies/waterfalls_intro.htm Hamilton Naturalists Club (www.hamiltonnature.org)]
* [http://www.hamilton.worldweb.com/Photos/Waterfalls/ Hamilton Waterfalls- Photo Gallery (www.hamilton.worldweb.com)]
* [http://www.brucetrail.org Bruce Trail (www.brucetrail.org)]
* [http://www.escarpment.org/Travel/travel_hamilton_parks.htm Travel the Niagara Escarpment: Parks in the City of Hamilton (www.escarpment.org)]
* [http://www.hamiltonpostcards.com/pages/waterfalls.html Vintage Postcards: Waterfalls in and around Hamilton, Ontario]

Maps

* [http://map.hamilton.ca/Static/PDFs/General%20Interest%20maps/Overall%20City/WaterfallMap.pdf Hamilton Waterfall Map PDF. (http://map.hamilton.ca)]
* [http://www.hamiltonnature.org/waterfalls/waterfalls.html
]

Video clips

* [http://www.myhamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/636826A2-B4C4-4FED-BE22-EF6BA7495B2C/0/HamiltonTheCityofWaterfallsHI.asx Hamilton- The City of Waterfalls (www.myhamilton.ca)]