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River

Cataraqui River

Class

Cascade

Size

Medium

Visitability

Average

Accessibility

Free

Activity

Walk Time

5min

Trail

Easy

Gorge Access

Unknown

Other Trails

County

Frontenac

Hwy 401 to Kingston. Exit at exit 623 for Kingston Mills, locks 46-49. Go northeast on Hwy 15, and turn left (west ) on Kingston Mills Rd. Watch for the parking lot on the right, beside the locks and historic blockhouse.

Settlement

Kingston Mills

NTS Map

31C/8

Easting

Northing

UTM Zone

A medium-sized cascade of moderate interest, this waterfall is located just minutes north of Hwy 401, just outside of Kingston. The falls increases in width as it tumbles over well worn igneous rock at an angle of about 30-40 degrees. The total fall is estimated at about 8 m in height.

Downstream of the falls, the river flows into a fairly deep, but somewhat weakly defined rock gorge. The rock walls are fairly high in some places (in regional terms), and rock climbing is occasioanally conducted here (see link below).

The falls is located on the site of four Locks, Nos. 46 to 49. The locks were originally constructed in the 1820's with the development of the Rideau Canal. This canal was originally of great military importance (connecting Kingston with Ottawa) allowing for a route that bypassed the St. Lawrence River - half of which was in American hands. Today, the locks still operate, but serve for recreational purposes only.

A large dam was constructed to maintain water levels in the lake upstream. The present falls is restricted somewhat by the dam structure, and flows may dry up to a trickle in summer.