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River

Crowe River

Class

Cascade

Size

Small

Visitability

Average

Accessibility

Free

Activity

Quiet

Walk Time

2min

Trail

Easy

Gorge Access

Difficult

Other Trails

some

County

Hastings

Follow the directions to Upper Cordova Falls. Once you leave the upper falls, watch for the laneway on the right that leads down hill beside the long wooden penstocks (911 Number 546). Park in the small lot beside the power building. The falls are visible from the river's edge, but if you can carefully make your way around the hydro building, you can right to the falls. Please respect any private property signs.

Settlement

Cordova Mines

NTS Map

31C/12

Easting

275854

Northing

4937035

UTM Zone

This is a pretty cascade falling about 5 m over a 20 m reach. As with the other falls along this stretch of the Crowe River, the bedrock is a dark black, jagged rock. It is probably amphibolite, or some other kind of meta-volcanic rock. The falls is partially hidden behind Cordova Lake Hydroelectic Generating Station. You can see the falls from a distance at the access road, but in order to get close to the falls, you will have to go around the little generating station. I'm not sure if this is posted private property, but if you investigate the little building, you will find a way around it. From the far side of the building, the waterfall is beautiful, providing beautiful photographs framed by a lush green forest.

The English Company mined gold in the area between 1864 and 1903, and then again sporadically during the first portion of the twentieth century.

A portion of the Crowe river's discharge that would have flowed over these falls is diverted at Upper Cordova Falls and delivered 200 metres to the hydroelectic plant by a long, wooden penstock that is easily visible entering the back side of the building. An interpretive sign gives further information about power generation from the river.