Waterfalls of Ontario - Waterfall Links and Research Tools

Waterfalls of Ontario.ca/
Waterfall Links / Research Tools

Waterfalls of Ontario HOME | E-Mail Mark Harris |

The best part of waterfalling is actually visiting the falls! But even if you can't get out for a while, there are lots of useful resources on the web and in print that can help you find local or international information about waterfalls.

Obviously, the best source of information about waterfalls in Ontario is our new book entitled "Waterfalls of Ontario."! (OK, I'm allowed one shameless plug!). It is available for $29.95 (about $20 US) from Chapters.ca, Amazon.com and soon in your local book store.

Essentials

My first recommendation is that you navigate through the Waterfalls Webring. This is a collection of about 50-odd web pages devoted to waterfalls. Most member pages cover a specific area of the world and each have their own unique ideas, design and photography. Click here for a list of all sites in the Webring.

You may also consider joining the Waterfalltalk Discussion Group. The list has about 100 members and discusses just about everything about waterfalls. Email traffic is irregular - sometimes there are no messages for a month, whereas some topics generate 5-6 Emails per week (You can read the messages online rather than in your Inbox).

McGowan Falls isn't spectacular, but it's a fun place to visit on your way to Owen Sound.

Ontario Waterfalls

The following web pages focus on waterfalls in Ontario.

Waterfalls of Southern Ontario and the Niagara Region, by Brandi Jasmine

Niagara Escarpment Waterfalls Hikes, by Toronto Hiking.com. (Quite new, and very useful)

Waterfalls of the Niagara Escarpment, by Stephen Wagner

Waterfalls in the City of Hamilton, by Steve Head and Robert Nixon (cool clickable map!)

Vintage Postcards of Waterfalls in and around Hamilton, by Janet Forjan-Freedman

Hamilton Waterfalls, by Ray Love

Niagara Peninsula Waterfalls, by Scott Ensminger

Festival of the Falls (Bracebridge), by Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce

Waterfalls of Grey County, by County of Grey

Ontario Waterfalls along the Niagara Escarpment, by Frank Giorno

Muskoka Waterfalls, from Muskoka.com

Waterfall Viewing Guide, Ottawa Valley, by Gregory and Richard Richardson

Map Information for Ontario

Ontario Weather, Stream Flow, etc

Maps are useful for many outdoor activities, and can be essential for waterfalling. At the very least, I suggest that you purchase a detailed road map of the section of Ontario that you are touring. The best are MapArt's "Town and Country maps", or similar maps from Rand McNally. Both companies produce folding maps as well as spiral bound books covering the entire province. These maps display and name ALL county and township roads, but not town streets.

Canada lags behind the United States in the availability of maps and online environmental information. The information exists, but in most cases, the federal and provincial governments operates on a cost recovery basis. Thus, while detailed air photos of most of the United States can be freelyl downloaded from the internet, Canadians don't yet have this luxury. Still, there is some useful information that is useful for waterfalling.

1. Toporama is an online service that allows you to download Canada's federal topographic maps. The maps don't have coordinates, and are missing lots of labels, but they are very useful for getting a good idea of an area's geography. (TIP: Be sure to click on "See map sheets at 1:50,000").

Weather Forecasts, from Environment Canada

Precipitation Radar, from Intellicast

2. Softmap is a very useful product that you can use for your computer. It allows you to view good quality scans of 1:50,000 topographic maps for all of Ontario. The maps have been stitched together to provide a seamless map. The software allows you to search for locations by name, determine geographic coordinates, and even input your own GPS points. This is how I determined many of the coordinates for waterfall on this web page and in the print version of Waterfalls of Ontario.

Geographical Names of Canada, by Natural Resources Canada. This allows you to search for a location by name, coordinates or feature.

Real time (and historic) Stream flow data for selected rivers in Ontario, by Water Survey of Canada. NOTE: Even though the waterfall you are interested in is not likely included in their list, if you choose a nearby stream, you can see how the stream flow has changed over time (ie. should I visit, or is the stream/waterfall likely dry?)

3. Learn how to use a Topographic Map, by Natural Resources Canada

Waterfalls near Ontario and around the world.

I've listed some of the better waterfall web pages covering regions close to Ontario. There are too many to list worldwide, and I have instead listed several "world indexes" at the bottom. Most of these sources are part of the Waterfalls Webring.

COMING SOON!

Buy the book!

Waterfalls of Ontario

by George Fischer and Mark Harris (2003).

Back to the "Waterfalls of Ontario" home page.

CAUTION! Waterfalls can be dangerous places! Mark Harris takes no responsibility for your safety and he does not guarantee that it is fully safe and/or legal to visit these waterfalls. You are responsible for your own safety at all times. Mark Harris cannot give you permission to trespass on any private land. CAUTION!