As you might expect there are numerous waterfalls in Canada
... including Niagara and the Horseshoe Falls ... but the Della Falls on
Vancouver Island are said to have the highest total vertical drop (440 metres
or 1,443 feet).
 |
| Della Falls |
... but there are waterfalls everywhere ... Stamp Falls on
Vancouver Island are found in Stamp River Provincial Park ... which has short
scenic hiking trails providing ample opportunity to view salmon jumping and
swimming up the river to their spawning beds.
 |
| Stamp Gorge around which fish ladders have been constructed, which encouraging the salmon to pass up river |
Lookout points offer panoramic views of the falls and the
man-made fish ladders ... the annual run is from late August ... when black
bears often head down the river being tempted by the heavy flow of salmon.
Fish ladders or kettles have been used for centuries ... and
certainly in Europe there were many natural ones: records from 17th C France report
that bundles of branches were used to
create steps in steep channels to bypass obstructions ...
 |
| Man-made fish ladder at the Hatley estate and gardens, Victoria, Vancouver Island |
... now we tend to build them - and that's happened here on
the east coast - a version was patented in 1837 by Richard McFarlan of Bathurst
- his fish-way was to bypass a dam at his water-powered lumber mill.
Bathurst, New Brunswick is situated within the range of Jacques
Cartier's first voyage as mentioned in my C is for Canada post ... and where
salmon continue to forge their way up natural and man-made fish ladders inland
to spawn.
That is F for Falls and Fish Ladders ... from Aspects by a
British 'girl' in Canada ...
Hilary Melton-Butcher
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45 comments:
Hari OM
Very nice... one is again reminded why so many Scots felt at home in the new land of Canada...YAM xx
I bet they're stunning.
Sounds like they are great! Loved your photos, Hillary!
That is a *stunning* waterfall!
Please, please, please tell me you've been to see it!
They've been repairing the fish ladders around here, too. But not for salmon, I'm afraid.
What spectacular views! I MAY have heard of fish ladders, but can't recall.
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wow...what beautiful waterfalls. i hope you get to visit all of them and take lots of pics. the fish ladders are cool. neat way to help fish take a detour and keep their migration going. thanks for another cool post.
There are few things as lovely in Mother Nature’s landscape as a waterfall.
@ Yamini - lots of Scots did go out - I think it was the luck of the draw ... there were roads to be built, and bridges ... and this fish ladder was constructed at the estate of a 2nd generation Scot - who could afford to build the estate ...
@ Liz - even the little ones are delightful ... so much water around ...
@ Nas - I think they must all be wonderful to see - most are not my photos I'm afraid to say ... but so glad I can use them ..
@ Jz - 'fraid not ... one needs to canoe, then walk and then hike up - so no ... not for me!! I'd love to be that intrepid ... but no longer ...
If they're not repairing the fish ladders for salmon - why? and for what?
@ Sue - yes fish ladders are in use in various guises - the salmon need to get help up the rivers, particularly when humans have altered the river courses ...
@ Lenny - stunning aren't they ... I'm not going to see them all - it'd take a life time or two ... probably more! Saw one at the weekend that was a delight to see ... I'll get back there sometime soon ... and this time take my camera!!
@ Arleen - I agree nature's landscape is best ...
Cheers to you all - thanks for your visits - Hilary
Beautiful waterfalls! I've never seen a fish ladder or the salmon runs, but do love salmon!
Beautiful, Hilary, thank you. I wish I could visit them all. :)
We have waterfalls here, small ones, in the mountains. When we go hiking, and reach all the way up, we can see some after rain, but it's been so dry lately. So enjoy reading about Canada, beautiful nature ad plenty of water.
Too many waterfalls would be barely enough. And how I would love to see fish ladders, salmon using them - and the bears. You are really whetting my appetite for your new home...
I love waterfalls :-)
I'd love to see more waterfalls. The only 'big one' I've visited is Victoria Falls last year.
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I love waterfalls and fast moving rivers - there is something so natural and powerful about all that water pouring past. Hardraw Force and Aysgarth Falls in Yorkshire are magnificent. I have silly numbers of photos of the latter, because every time we were in Yorkshire on hols, I'd drag my family there to admire them :)
Sophie
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We wanted to visit some falls last time we were in BC, but most of the parks were still closed so we had to pass. Got very wet at a fort instead :D
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings - Movie Monsters
I have always imagined Canada to be a land of water and forests and lots of snow. Beautiful photos. I must be quite an experience to see the salmon run and the black bears feasting on them. Hope you get to see it and write a post about it. Kim
Hi-ya, Hilary. Well done by a British "girl" in Canada. :)
I wonder why it is that most of us are so enthralled by waterfalls. Big ones, little ones... I love 'em all. I've seen those fish ladders in pictures before, but I never knew what to call them. (Fitting name!) It would be fascinating to watch the salmon go... through the steps.
Cheers! Take care. (from the Maryland "girl" in Georgia)
We tend to be the ones who placed the obstacle there - only fair we build a way for the fish to get around it.
Della Falls - what a sight to see. We even have a fish ladder on our local river - never seen any fish using it though.
I've never heard of fish ladders. Interesting!
Nothing more peaceful than a beautiful waterfall. :)
I love water falls. And yes, fish ladders and such are quite fascinating. Watching salmon leap is a tremendous sight.
Of all the beautiful waterfalls in Canada, the ones shown to us with most pride by locals were at Fundy National Park. The tides change, the coastline is rugged and New Brunswick loves its fishing history.
I've never heard of fish ladders. That's pretty cool!
I've been to the Canadian side of the Niagra Falls. It's a great view.
Fish ladders are also fun to watch. Though, I'm guessing bears like watching them more than us humans do. It's like a giant fish buffet for them.
Della Falls looks amazing, Hilary, with the long ribbons of water and the mountains behind.
I will forever laugh at the term fish ladders. In my mind, it conjures up an image of a fish climbing a ladder on dry land.
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Who'd have thought that a fish could climb a ladder? I'm fairly sure they can't ride bicycles.....
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I saw Niagra Falls when I was a teenager. So cool! We went up to the restaurant that turned in the sky. I have no idea if it's still there or not, but it made a full rotation in an hour. Anyway, I'd heard of a fish ladder but never saw one in person. Very neat to see it pictured here. Side note - I understand if you need a break from my blog for a bit. Heavy stuff over there. No worries, my friend! :)
Elsie
So beautiful! Makes me want to book flights :)
There's something magical about waterfalls - both their beauty and the energy, even with the small ones.
I saw a fish ladder only once, and it forever changed how I think of fish.
You are so much fun. Who knew 'fish ladders'? Seems obvious now that you've explained it. I will leave Friday smarter than I entered.
they have added ladders to many small dams here since it delayed many species survival. I would enjoy watching the salmon run
I think the fish ladder is a nice thing to help the fish. It's pretty,too.
Wow. I never knew about fish ladders. Thanks, Hilary!
How I loved that beautiful island. We made three summer camping trips there from Minnesota with our two boys...:)
Made it to today's post! Early for me. Fish ladders - it conjures up all kinds of interesting images but its actual use is laudible indeed. Salmon running is an amazing sight (only seen by me on television) and there is something about the idea of black bears that excites the imagination...
@ Marcy - aren't all waterfalls stunning, even tiny ones; I'd love to see the salmon run - but suspect it's not something I'll get to do ...
@ Silvia - oh don't we all; how lovely that you can find small waterfalls on your hiking trips ...but I know it's been dry down there. Delighted you're enjoying these Canada posts ...
@ EC - yes to sit under or very near a waterfall with the summer sun beaming down would be so good; sadly I doubt I'll see the salmon run ... bears I might find. Delighted you're enjoying the Canadian venture ...
@ Ronel - they are wonderful aren't they ...
@ Keith - I expect you'll see more waterfalls - if I remember to take my camera with me!! Victoria Falls is magnificent ... as too the bridge - with which I have strong family connections.
@ Sophie - yes there are some amazing fast flowing rivers here, as too waterfalls - they are so powerful aren't they. Your Aysgarth Falls look stunning - I'd never heard of them ... no wonder you have so many photos ...
@ Tasha - oh what a pity ... things tend to be closed til late Spring - at least that's what I'm finding ... I have to get to the Fort at some stage ...
@ Kim - I think you might be right in your assessment of Canada. I imagine the salmon run with the bears feasting must be an amazing experience ... if I do - I will definitely write a post about it ...
@ Susan - thank you! I guess it's just the sheer joy and force of nature taking over ... waterfalls always enthrall -good word! Fish ladders are a fun name ... for a very useful item - and if I get a chance I'll go watch the salmon run ...
@ Alex - exactly we change their route - so need to help them or adjust ... I don't know if you remember the elephants walking through the hotel - it was their 'natural' path ...
@ Bob - I'm sure the Della Falls must be wonderful. Oh great that you've got a fish ladder in your local river ... they probably hide and dash up stream in the depths of night?!?!
@ Julie - good to see you ... and nothing better than a picnic near a tingling sparkling waterfall - and great if I've opened your eyes to fish ladders ...
@ Joanne - they are amazing natural wonders aren't they. Watching salmon leap must be just amazing ... I hope I get a chance when here ...
@ Hels - I can believe you re the Fundy Bay side of Canada ... I hope I can a chance to see the east coast ... and I'm sure there's plenty of history over in the New Brunswick area ...
@ Lynda - they are fun items aren't they - but so essential to the fish run ...
@ Jean - I hope to get over to Niagara - I'll have to see. I'm quite certain bears are really keen on the fish ladders ... and yes a fish buffet for them - fun thought ...
@ Emily - Della Falls do look amazing ... sadly I don't think I'll get near them ... still there's lots around here. Lots of ideas with fish ladders ... I think I'd think of stockings or tights ... with fish weaving their way up ... but we can laugh ...
@ Bazza - I quite honestly think fish could ride bicycles ... anything can happen in this day and age ... it's such a fun thought ... as too climbing the ladder ...
@ Elsie - that must have been a wonderful visit to Niagara ... especially the revolving restaurant. This structure at Hatley - looks pretty simple ... and whether it works at getting the fish into the pond from the ocean is an unknown - but I guess it must ...
Thanks for your side note ...
@ Nila - I know it is beautiful here ...
@ Deborah - yes fish getting help, or not having humans block their routes does make one think about their life cycle. Waterfalls would be right in your ambit ...
@ Jacqui - had to include them didn't I! They seem to be making everyone laugh at the thought ... that pleases me ...
@ Steve - it's good humans are realising we need to help wildlife to survive alongside them. I hope you can get to see a salmon run sometime ...
@ Sherry - this is almost pretty isn't it ... the concrete aspect doesn't thrill me - though the fish ladder as a structure does ...
@ Denise - fish ladders are so essential now-a-days ...
@ Troutbirder .. I bet you enjoyed your camping trips up here - it's a stunning island ...
@ Debbie - well done! Perhaps you climbed that fish ladder to help you here?! Its use is just right and I gather really do help the salmon get up to their spawning grounds. I too have only seen it on tv - whether I'll ever get a chance here ... I'm not sure - but bears are around ...
Cheers - so pleased the fish ladders made you all laugh ... great to see you - thank you for the comments - Hilary
That's really interesting. A few years ago, we took a ferry boat from Seattle, Washington to Victoria, B.C. I didn't get to see any waterfalls, but I loved Victoria and used the Empress Hotel as part of my book, Hotels to Remember. Wonderful you are exploring the area!
Hi Hilary!
Breathtaking views and Salmon-friendly rivers - what a remarkable place!
Thanks for finding time for my blog in the midst of the A to Z! I forgot all about it this year. Now I'm looking forward to learning more about Canada.
We screw up the natural rivers and falls and then have to build synthetic ways for the fish to climb up the rivers. I would love to be there when the bears are fishing, often seen it on film, but that's not the same.
Love falls! I didn't know much about fish ladders- so I learned a ton here today. Thanks for sharing. Great pictures!
~Jess
Another great post. The only falls I ever think of are of course Victoria which I am glad to say we saw again after a very long time last February. Cheers Diane
I'm learning so much from these posts. I did not know about fish ladders before.
@ Monti - I haven't really explored central Victoria ... so will definitely look out the Empress Hotel ... and there are waterfalls for Africa!!
@ Diedre - I imagine these falls are extraordinary ... and it's good they're ensuring the salmon can get upstream to spawn ...
@ Inger - it's good to see you when you can get over ... but it's also good to see you getting out and about ...
@ Jo - I know ... humans aren't always the most sensitive creatures are we. I hope I get to see some bears fishing ...
@ Jess - the fish ladders of the various styles are so interesting to read about ... so I'm pleased you enjoyed this post ...
@ Diane - yes me too ... Victoria Falls ring loud and clear in my memory bank as too my family. That's good you were able to get there in February ... it's one of those must do South African things ...
@ Lynn- thanks so much ... glad the laddering has extended your knowledge to fishy ones!!
Cheers to you - I'm so pleased these fish ladders have rung true with you ... I hope I get to see the salmon run at some stage - all the best - Hilary
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