TRIP CLIP AUDIO -DECEW FALLS

Click to play or download DECEW FALLS (mp3 format).

Lower Left: Upper DeCew Falls up close (Rachel Marsh); Middle right: Upper DeCew Falls (Rachel Marsh); Lower right: Morningstar Turbine Shed (Rachel Marsh)

The falls received their name from John DeCew, a United Empire Loyalist, who acquired 200 acres of land in 1792, including Beaverdams Creek, a tributary of the Twelve Mile Creek, and the waterfall that went over the escarpment. Originally John DeCew had come to the area as a land surveyor in 1788, and decided to purchase the land on the escarpment for milling activities. DeCew had built mills powered by water wheel on the site near the falls, and became an important milling centre in Upper Canada during the early 19th Century. 

DeCew's house was converted into a strategic station for the British Army during the War of 1812 due to its favourable location on the Niagara Escarpment. The British Army also used one of his mills at DeCew Falls to ground grain for the soldiers during the War of 1812.

The DeCew Falls were also once part of the plans for the first Welland Canal project in 1818 under the support of DeCew. However, as a result of changes in the canal plans not only did the canal not pass through DeCew Falls area but also the water that was much needed for his industry was diverted. The water diversion caused DeCew to change his industrial activities.

In the late 1870s, just after the construction of the Morningstar Mill, Beaverdams Creek was dammed in two locations just above DeCew Falls as part of a drinking water resevoir system for the industrializing city of St. Catharines. The resevoirs were further developed as part the hydroelectric project at the DeCew Falls Generating Station Number 1, and the DeCew Falls area was originally planned as the location of the penstock. The site of the Upper DeCew Falls still features the Morningstar Mill complex with a regular supply of water for this picturesque waterfall. 

Photo Gallery

 

 

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Hours of Operation

Open Year-Round    8:00 am - Dusk

Directions

From Toronto: QEW exit 49 to Highway 406 and drive approximately 2.9km

Exit on 4th Louth Avenue/Fourth Avenue

Left (south) on Louth Street and drive approximately 3.1km

Right (west) on Pelham Road and drive about 2km

Left (south) on 1st Louth Street and drive about 0.9km

Continue onto DeCew Road and drive about 0.9km

Left (north) into the Mill's little parking lot beside the Beaverdams Creek mill pond.

Historical

The waterfalls formed after the creation of the Niagara Escarpment 450 million years ago. Sediments from a tropical sea bed compressed into the limestone and shale that comprise the Escarpment. Through progressive glacial action, water flow and the elements, the rocks began to weather causing dramatic land formations such as DeCew Falls and the gorge.

As well as natural formations, artificial waterfalls have also been created such as the Tunnel Falls. This was created for the DeCew Falls Generating Station No. 1, which was built in 1898 with the aim of generating power for the region. It is the oldest running plant in the Niagara Region. Tunnels have been dug through softer layers of the escarpment, creating a flat ceiling and floor made up of harder layers above and below.

Ecological

Hike along the Bruce Trail next to Decew Falls and you may be lucky enough to spot a white- tailed deer. Follow the trail westward into Short Hills Provincial Park - a Carolinian forest where more waterfalls can be viewed including Swayze Falls - a dry falls.

The Niagara Escarpment is home to over 1500 species of vascular plants, with the Cucumber Tree (Magnolia acuminata) , Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) and green dragon (Arisaema dracontium, a close relative of the Jack-in-the-pulpit) found in the area. White Cedars (Thuja occidentalis) are also commonly found, along with a number of mammals, amphibians and reptiles.

Recreational

Whilst visiting DeCew Falls you can connect to the Bruce Trail, which is an ideal hiking spot. The trail offers great views of the edge of the Escarpment, as well as a chance to see the DeCew Hydroelectric Power Stations (Number 1 and Number 2) at the bottom of the Escarpment.

Visitors to DeCew Falls can walk, hike or jog along the Bruce Trail. You can also visit Morningstar Mill, which is located next to the Falls.

Adjacent Land Uses

DeCew House is down the road and to the east

St Catharines Water Filtration Plant

Morningstar Mill

Further Information

Go Waterfalling DeCew Falls

Toronto Hiking DeCew Falls, Swayze Falls & Rockway Falls

Travel Niagara DeCew Falls and Morningstar Mill

Waterfalls of Ontario DeCew Falls

With thanks to Rachel Marsh for her contributions.