Kakabeka Falls facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kakabeka Falls |
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Kakabeka Falls
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 Location in Ontario
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| Location | Oliver Paipoonge, Ontario, Canada |
| Coordinates | 48°24′10″N 89°37′32″W / 48.4029°N 89.6256°W |
| Type | Plunge |
| Total height | 40 m (130 ft) |
| Number of drops | Two |
| Watercourse | Kaministiquia River |
| Average flow rate |
50 m³/s (1766 cu ft/s) |
Kakabeka Falls is a huge waterfall on the Kaministiquia River in Ontario, Canada. It's located near the village of Kakabeka Falls, about 30 km (19 mi) west of Thunder Bay. People often call it "the Niagara of the North" because it's so big and easy to visit.
The falls drop 40 m (130 ft) (that's about 130 feet!) into a deep gorge. This gorge was carved out of very old rocks called the Precambrian Shield. These rocks are some of the oldest on Earth. The gorge was formed by meltwater from glaciers after the last ice age.
The rocks around the falls are mostly soft shale. This means they are always slowly wearing away, or eroding. These rocks are special because they contain some of the oldest fossils ever found, dating back about 1.6 billion years! Because the rocks are so fragile, it's not allowed to go into the gorge below the falls. The name "Kakabeka" comes from the Ojibwe word gakaabikaa, which means "waterfall over a cliff."
Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park
Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park was created in 1955. It covers about 5 square kilometres (1.9 sq mi) (or 1,200 acres) and is looked after by Ontario Parks. The park surrounds the falls and stretches along the Kaministiquia River. This river was an important route for early European travelers called voyageurs centuries ago. They were the first Europeans to spend winters in northern Ontario. They used the Kaministiquia River to travel to the northwest. To get around the falls, they had to carry their canoes and goods for 1.3 km (0.81 mi) on a path called a portage.
The park has two campgrounds with 169 places to set up tents or RVs. About 90 of these spots have electricity. If you love hiking, the park has 17.9 km (11.1 mi) of trails to explore. In winter, you can even go cross-country skiing! During the summer, the park offers fun and educational programs. You can join guided hikes, learn about nature, and visit a special visitor centre.
The Legend of Green Mantle
There's a famous Ojibwe legend about Kakabeka Falls called the Legend of Green Mantle. It tells the story of a brave Ojibwe chief's daughter, Princess Green Mantle. When her tribe heard that the Sioux tribe was planning to attack, Green Mantle came up with a clever plan to protect her people.
She went to the Sioux camp, which was located along the Kaministiquia River. Pretending to be lost, she made a deal with them. She said she would lead them to her father's camp if they promised to spare her life. The Sioux warriors put her at the front of their canoe. But instead of leading them to her tribe, she bravely guided herself and the Sioux warriors right over the falls. She sacrificed herself to save her people from the attack.
The legend says that if you look into the mist of Kakabeka Falls, you might see Green Mantle. She is remembered as a hero who gave her life for her tribe. Other versions of the story say she jumped out of the canoe before it went over the falls and swam to shore. Then she ran back to warn her people.
Kakabeka Falls in Art
Kakabeka Falls has inspired many artists. One of the most famous paintings of the falls was created by Lucius Richard O'Brien in 1882. This important artwork is now kept at the National Gallery of Canada.
Another famous artist, Frances Anne Hopkins, also painted the falls in 1877. She was known for her paintings that showed Canadian life. Her painting, "The Red River Expedition at Kakabeka Falls, Ontario," shows the Red River Expedition of 1870. This group of soldiers and travelers had to carry their supplies around the falls on their way to the Red River Colony.
