Vermilion Falls

Vermilion Falls (French: chutes Vermilion; Cree: Nepegabeketik, lit. 'where the water falls') is a waterfall on the Peace River in Alberta. It is the second largest waterfall in Canada by average flow rate after the Niagara Falls, and the largest located entirely within the country. The falls prevent the continuous navigation of the Peace River between its confluence with the Athabasca River and Hudson's Hope.

Vermilion Falls
Nepegabeketik  (Cree)
LocationAlberta, Canada
Coordinates58°22′11″N 114°52′18″W
TypeWide gradual cascade
Total height4.6 m (15 ft)[1]
Average width1.8 km (6,000 ft)[1]
WatercoursePeace River
Average
flow rate
1,800 m3/s (64,000 cu ft/s)[1]

Description

Vermilion Falls is a series of fan-shaped steps made of limestone and shale that vary from 4.6–7.6 m (15–25 ft) in height depending on the season. The falls are navigable by small, flat-bottomed boats during high water. During all other times boaters have to dock below the falls and walk along an 8-kilometre (5.0 mi) trail running parallel to the south bank of the river before joining up with the river above the falls.[2]

A substantial stretch of rapids called Vermilion Rapids (Cree: Meatina Powistik, lit. 'the real rapids') lie 2.75 km (1.71 mi) upstream of the falls.[2]

See Also

References

  1. "Vermilion Falls, Alberta, Canada - World Waterfall Database". www.worldwaterfalldatabase.com. Retrieved 2020-01-17.
  2. "The Peace River Chutes and Rapids". www.geocities.ws. Retrieved 2020-01-17.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.