I have a confession; I made this name up! I've done this for a number of smaller or less-insipiring waterfalls. If you ask anyone about it, even the park staff, they will most likely not know what you are talking about. But what they may know is that the Carp River flows over some flat-lying bedrock as it makes its way through the park.
To be clear, this is not much of a waterfall at all. Most readers won't be interested in finding this. During low flows in summer, some of the bedrock riverbed is exposed, creating very, very low rapids of very little interest to most visitors. These aren't waterfalls! But the river is cool to explore.
This is the Oxford formation, which is one of the olidest Ordovician era formations in Ontario. This is older than all of the rocks of the Niagara Escarpment and the sedimentary rocks in central Ontario. The Oxford formation is said to contain trilobites in some areas, although I can't say that they are present here.
I haven't visited this site. It's my understanding that bedrock is exposed along the river at the upstream edge of the park, as well as downsteram from the bridge. Please let me know if you find anything. Don't be surpised if it is the smallest waterfall site you've ever visited!
NOTE: The driving directions lead to a spot in the Pine Grove campground that is closest to the rapids. I have no idea if there is a place to park here, and don't know if there is a way to get to the river without wandering across someone's site. Please ask at the gatehouse for tips.
Region | Eastern |
---|---|
County | Ottawa-Carleton |
Near | Fitzroy PP |
Watercourse | Carp River |
Watershed / % Lakes | 2 / 19% |
Ownership | FItzroy Provincial Park |
Landscape | Rural Park |
Size | Very Small |
Type | Rock Rapids |
Modification | Natural |
Access | Moderate |
Top / Bottom | Moderate / Moderate |
Trail conditions | Gravel, uneven ground |
Hiking Time | 5 min |
Coordinates | 45.4786,-76.2168 |
Parking | 45.4789,-76.21641 |
Site ID | WOO.OTT.005 |
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