The Niagara Peninsula is the stretch of land that runs from the Niagara River west to point south of Stoney Creek. That chunk of land is sandwiched by Lake Ontario on the North and Lake Erie on the South. The Niagara Escarpment cuts through the northern third of the peninsula and divides it in two. The land below the escarpment north to Lake Ontario consititutes about a third of the peninsula. The flat plateau of land from the top of the escarpment runs south to Lake Erie, and makes up the other two thirds.
The land below and above the escarpment is among Canada's most fertile and is the centre of fruit growing in Ontario.The escarpment has a moderating affect on temperature in the area. The moderate climate of the Niagara Region plays a major factor in making the Niagara region one of Canada's largest fruit belts and winemaking regions. Cherries, peaches, pears, plums, apples and grapes are all grown there. The grapes also support a successful wine industry, that has developed a reputation for excellence around the world, especially for its ice wine. There about 26 wineries that operate between Grimsby and Niagara Falls.
To the west of Niagara Falls in southwestern St.Catharines, 12 Mile Creek tumbles over the escarpment to create DeCews Falls. The creek got it's name because it is situated 12 miles (19 km) from the Niagara River which also happens to be the border with the United States.
There are two falls at DeCews. The Upper Falls is 60 feet (18 metres) in height and has a crest of 25 feet (7.6 metres). The upper Decews Falls was full in late September as the dammed waters of 12 Mile Creek rolled over the crest with a fury. The foaming water created small eddies at the bottom of the fall. Located right at the edge of the Upper DeCews Falls is the Morningstar Mill which is being restored by the city of St.Catharines as an historic site.
A good view of the upper falls is provided just south of the Morningstar Mill. To view the falls from the bottom requires a hike that was at times made difficult by the muddy trails from the rain of the previous night.
A short distance to the south 12 Mile Creek plunges to create the lower falls are shorter in height but they have a good volume of water that crashed about against the large rocks. On the particular day the photograph of the lower DeCews Falls I got a good soaking as water splashed against the rocks spraying my camera and glasses in the process.The lower falls are 27 feet (8.2 metres) in height with a crest of 20 feet (6 metres) wide .
DeCews Falls were named after Captain John DeCew, a hero of the War of 1812. John DeCew's house, the ruins of which can be found to the east of the Falls, served as headquarters for the British outpost. It was to this outpost that Laura Secord came to announce the American invasion after travelling along the base of the escarpment from Queenston on June 24, 1813. As a result of Laura Secord's warning the British were able to prepare and win the battle of Beaverdams in which an entire American army unit was captured by a smaller British force. The action known as the "Fight of Beech Woods " was a turning point of the war.
Rockway Falls is a modest little falls produced by the waters of 15 Mile Creek. They are located off of Eighth Avenue (Niagara Regional Road 69) between 11th Street and 9th Street. Rockway Falls have a height of 53 feet (16 metres) and is 15 feet (4.5 metres) wide at its crest line. Ensminger notes that there are several smaller falls located at the base of the main fall.
Rockway Falls like many falls along the escarpment during the late summer and autumn, has a diminished flow that resembles a thin watery curtain meandering from layer to layer rock. The exposed layers of rocks and fall colours made for a pleasant view and a worth while hike. The falls can be observed from a side trail of the Bruce Trail.
Balls Falls are located south of Vineland and Jordan a farming community southwest of St.Catharines. The Falls are produced by Twenty Mile Creek as it cascades over the escarpment at two points, the lower falls and the upper falls. The lower waterfalls is 90 feet (27.4 metres) in height with a crest line of 85 feet (25.9 metres). The upper falls is 30 feet (9.1 metres) high and 65 feet (19.8 metres) wide. The exposed rock face at Ball's Falls provides an excellent view a cross section of the early and middle silurian geological period in the Niagara region.
The rushing waters of Balls Falls lured settlers who were interested in building mills to serve the surrounding agricultural communities.The original community was organized in 1755. In the 1790's United Empire Loyalists and Mennonites settled in the area and renamed the creek the Jordan River. Balls Falls were named after Jacob Ball who was one of the first to operate a mill by the falls. Eventually, the hamlet also became known as Ball's Falls, because of the two cataracts located on the family's property.
By the late 1830's and early 1840's George Ball established a prosperous commercial operation. By the time Jacob died, in the early nineteenth century the area had several mills operating around the two falls. After his death, George and John Ball carried on the family business and also operated mills. The area later included grist, saw and woollen mills, a copper shop, and a general store.
However, the building of the Welland Canal, the coming of the railroad and the development of hydro-electricity triggered rapid growth of more efficient competitors below the escarpment. By the turn of the century most milling activity had ceased.
The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority has preserved an old mill that was once powered by the rush of water from the northern falls. Today the mill houses a museum. Around the mill are clustered a log cabin, an 19th century church, a blacksmith shop and a limekiln.
Beamer's Falls is located in the Beamer Memorial Conservation Area just south of Grimsby. It has a height of 40 feet (12.1 metres) and a crest line of 25 feet(7.6 metres). You can view the falls from Ridge Rd or by entering the Beamer Fall's Conservation Area.
One of the first Loyalist settlement along the Niagara Peninsula was in this area. The power of 40 Mile Creek was used to operate a sawmill in the late 1780's. The falls are named after John Beamer who purchased 300 hundred acres of land. Beamer built a dam just above Beamer Falls to provide water power for his sawmill and grist mill.
The Beamer's Falls Conservation Area has been a major centre for hawk watching in Ontario. For the last 20 years avid hawkers gather each spring to count the number of hawks that fly by Beamer's Falls on their return to Ontario from their winter spots.