Webster's Falls facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Webster's Falls |
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Webster's Falls
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| Location | Hamilton, Ontario |
| Coordinates | 43°16′34″N 79°58′51″W / 43.276241°N 79.980898°W |
| Type | Curtain/Plunge |
| Total height | 22 m (72 ft) |
| Total width | 30 m (98 ft) |
| Watercourse | Spencer Creek |
Webster's Falls is a beautiful waterfall in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It's known for its amazing views and is part of the Spencer Gorge/Webster's Falls Conservation Area. This waterfall is about 22-metre-high (72 ft), which is like a seven-story building! It's a "curtain" or "plunge" waterfall, meaning the water drops straight down like a curtain. The water for the falls comes from Spencer Creek. Over time, this waterfall has had many different names, like Dr. Hamilton's Falls, Spencer Falls, and Hart Falls.
You can find a cool old cobblestone footbridge that crosses Spencer Creek near the falls. There's also a newer, narrower stone bridge. To help visitors get to this popular spot, a shuttle service runs from a parking area outside Dundas to the conservation area on weekends and holidays during certain times of the year.
Who Owns Webster's Falls?
The land around Webster's Falls has been owned by different people over the years. In 1818, a person named Dr. James Hamilton bought the land, and that's why the waterfall was once called Dr. Hamilton's Falls. Later, in 1820, a family named Webster bought the waterfall and about 78 acres (320,000 m2) of land around it. The Webster family's old house is still standing on Webster's Falls Road, and their old gravestones are preserved nearby.
A former mayor of Dundas, Colonel W.E.S. Knowles, wanted the area around Webster's Falls to become a public park. He left money to help make this happen. In 1933, the park was improved with new landscaping, a stone bridge over the creek, and an iron fence to make viewing the falls safer. Today, the Hamilton Conservation Authority owns and manages the land. In 1999, the Optimist Club of Greensville helped raise money to fix the old cobblestone bridge, and it was reopened in 2000.
Meet "Baby Webster's Falls"
Did you know there's another waterfall nearby called "Baby Webster's Falls"? It's a "ribbon" waterfall, which means it's tall and narrow. It's about 20 meters (66 feet) high and 3 meters (10 feet) wide. This waterfall usually has water flowing only after big storms or when the winter snow melts. You can find it on a smaller stream that flows into Spencer Creek, in a separate valley close to Webster's Falls. You can often see it from the top of the gorge.
It's very important to be careful when visiting waterfalls and gorges. Hamilton Firefighters often help people who get into trouble near the falls. Always stay on marked trails and follow all safety signs to avoid accidents and enjoy your visit safely!
Images for kids
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Webster's Falls in Summer
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Webster's Falls in Fall
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Webster's Falls in Winter
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Webster's Falls
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Webster's Falls
