28 Views • autumn 2015 the city of Waterfalls BY HELEN POWERS n PHOTOS BY JOSEPH HOLLICK & HELEN POWERS

t often surprises people to learn that Hamilton, has dozens of waterfalls that tumble down the Niagara Escarpment as it Iwinds through the city. From waterfall crests in any season, there are spectacular views down valleys and ravines but especially so in autumn when fall colours elevate the “wow” factor by several degrees. ▶

Buttermilk Falls is one of many waterfalls clustered close together in Hamilton’s east end. PHOTO BY HELEN POWERS

autumn 2015 • Niagara Escarpment Views 29 30 Niagara Escarpment Views • autumn 2015 ▲ Great Falls near Waterdown In Hamilton, the Niagara shaped the city that was to safe and environmentally features a viewing deck very Escarpment is known come later.” Tellier was the sensitive areas healthy. close to the parking area as “the mountain” and it manager of an extensive Over half of the waterfalls and several trails for longer defines the context of many inventory project carried out in are accessible to the public walks. PHOTO BY HELEN POWERS. neighbourhoods. It is a 2014 that found a new record and the website, Cascades monumental point of reference of 145 waterfalls within the city. and Waterfalls of Hamilton, at for driving directions and To be included in the www.waterfalls.hamilton.ca, major streets are named with inventory, waterfalls had to is full of detailed information “Upper” portions to help people meet a number of criteria to plan your trip. Directions, find their way around town. such as a minimum vertical maps and amenities are listed The Escarpment’s influence drop of three metres and a for each waterfall. There are in shaping the city is obvious minimum crest width of one cycling and walking routes or, but its waterfalls have also metre. While the tallest, Tew’s if you drive, you can find out played an important role. Falls, is just a few metres how many parking spots there As early as the 1700s, shorter than Niagara Falls, are and how long it takes to settlers located near the the average size of Hamilton’s walk from your car to the falls. waterfalls to have power for waterfalls is 10 metres high early industries such as saw by four metres wide. Spectacular Colours mills, flour mills, and paper The conservation authority Depending on the time of mills which operated with the is using the inventory to year, there may be sizeable force of falling water. Providing sustainably make the most crowds enjoying the sights necessities and employment, of these amazing areas. “The and sounds of Hamilton’s the falls often became hubs inventory helps us to balance waterfalls. In the west end, of economic activity and the tourism opportunities Tew’s Falls and Webster’s Falls communities that in time with the protection of these are very close neighbours and became part of Hamilton. natural resources,” says they have 90,000 to 100,000 In this way, waterfalls Tellier. “Knowing what’s visitors each year. An added on Ancaster ◀ have been a significant factor out there and what may Creek was named after the attraction is nearby Dundas Sherman family which owned in Hamilton’s history. As need protecting is very Peak, an incredible Escarpment this property a century ago and watershed officer Jaime Tellier important.” In some cases, outlook with panoramic founded Hamilton’s Steel of the Hamilton Conservation this has meant re-directing views around the Dundas Company. PHOTO BY JOSEPH HOLLICK. Authority says, “The waterfalls trails in order to keep people Valley and across the city.

autumn 2015 • Niagara Escarpment Views 31 the city of Waterfalls  Continued from page 31

34 Niagara Escarpment Views • autumn 2015 ◀ (Top Left) Webster’s Falls is well equipped for picnics, lawn games and leisurely strolls over the stone bridge. PHOTO BY HELEN POWERS.

◀ (Top Right) Devil’s Punch Bowl on Stoney Creek shows the many layers of rock in this part of the Escarpment. Note also the small stream coming out of the rock face near the bottom of the waterfall. PHOTO BY JOSEPH HOLLICK.

Trip Advisor ranks the waterfalls as Hamilton’s second most popular attraction

Tellier says that late winter Rare Environment and early spring are popular The most popular waterfalls times because the water have viewing platforms and volume grows dramatically formal trails to help people when snow and ice melt away. of varying physical abilities. Autumn generally has lower These features also protect water flow but the spectacular the natural environment colours draw people out with by directing foot traffic to their cameras at the ready. specific areas. Staying on the Thanksgiving weekend is a trail is important as short very popular time for families cuts can become so well and friends to share the scenic used that soil compaction views and trails as part of their and trampling of plants holiday traditions. As winter become a problem. transforms the waterfalls “There are rare ecosystems into frozen sculptures, ice along the way that people climbers get enthused and might not notice because while summer’s heat can they’re busy viewing and reduce the water volume, appreciating the waterfalls,” thunderstorms bring a loud Tellier explains. “As an rush of water that is thrilling internationally recognized to capture on video shortly biosphere reserve, the after the storms have passed. Escarpment is unique and During all times of the we want to balance its year, you can enjoy colourful protection with its popular illuminations organized by recreation opportunities.” Hamiltonian Chris Ecklund Spread throughout the who describes the waterfalls city’s urban and rural settings, as “the biggest piece of canvas there is a perfect waterfall to an artist could work on.” see whether you are the hiking Seven years ago, he began type or not. For the ambitious, promoting Hamilton all choose a neighbourhood with over North America as “The several waterfalls and fill your City of Waterfalls” and he day with multiple beautiful is proud that awareness of scenes. Or pack a few meals the city’s incredible natural and spend all day at one assets has grown significantly. waterfall park equipped with According to Ecklund, 70 picnic tables, barbeques and per cent of his website users open lawns for activities. are from outside Hamilton When you plan your visit, and Trip Advisor ranks the be sure to check the top 18 waterfalls as Hamilton’s second locations listed on the Cascades most popular attraction. and Waterfalls of Hamilton

◀ Visible from Hunter Road, Hunter Falls is located on a branch of Fairchild Creek in Troy, at the western boundary of Hamilton. Taken in November, this photo shows ice beginning to form. PHOTO BY JOSEPH HOLLICK.

autumn 2015 • Niagara Escarpment Views 35 ▲ Not all waterfalls come from the surface. Clappison Falls ▲ November ice is forming on Felker’s ▲ in early autumn. Located on is created by ground water flowing from karsts or fissures in Falls on Davis Creek in Stoney Creek. Tiffany Creek in Ancaster. A terrible accident the Escarpment on the west side of Hwy. 6 south of Clappison PHOTO BY JOSEPH HOLLICK. occurred here in May when a branch fell off a Corners. These falls dry up, making the best viewing after a massive oak tree and killed a young woman long rain or during the spring melt. PHOTO BY JOSEPH HOLLICK. from Hamilton. PHOTO BY JOSEPH HOLLICK.

▲ Market Street Falls on Spencer Creek in Dundas, is not on the official list of Hamilton’s waterfalls because it is only two metres high, not the required minimum of three metres high. PHOTO BY JOSEPH HOLLICK.

36 Niagara Escarpment Views • autumn 2015 ▲ The crosses on Canterbury Creek in Ancaster. PHOTO BY JOSEPH HOLLICK.

website. That’s where you will great things to do and see in also see this: “In Hamilton, the City of Waterfalls. You can it’s been said that if the find her at livinginhamilton. Escarpment is the city’s crown, wordpress.com or on Twitter then its waterfalls are the @HelenEPowers. Her last sparkling jewels in that tiara.” article for Niagara Escarpment The waterfalls may no Views was “Stories From the longer power local mills as Kitchen Garden at Dundurn they did hundreds of years Castle,” Spring 2013. ago but experiencing their amazing sights and sounds can Joseph Hollick of Dundas is an certainly rejuvenate the soul. award-winning photographer. Come see for yourself — and He has produced four posters don’t forget your camera. NEV of Hamilton’s waterfalls and, until 2014 was part of Helen Powers is a writer who a Hamilton waterfall group moved to Hamilton nine years that works to document and ago and is continually finding promote the area’s many falls.

Plan Your Trip • The Cascades and Waterfalls of Hamilton website provides links to partner agencies such as Bruce Trail Conservancy and Hamilton Naturalists Club: www.waterfalls.hamilton.ca • Giant’s Rib Escarpment Education Network, based in Hamilton, provides public education programs about the Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve: www.giantsrib.ca • Tourism Hamilton’s Interactive Waterfall Hikes Guides provide maps, photos and terrain elevations: www.tourismhamilton.com/hamilton-waterfalls • Find dates and locations of illumination events at City of Waterfalls’ Facebook page: www.facebook.com/cityofwaterfalls

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