At the present time we do not know how many waterfalls exist along the Niagara Escarpment from Queenston to Tobermory. We do know that there are 100 waterfalls and cascades in the City of Hamilton alone that have been found as of May 2008
 
Extensive work and investigations are required to locate, document and photograph waterfalls along the Niagara Escarpment. Currently this is being undertaken only in the City of Hamilton and this investigation has been ongoing since Spring 2000.
 
The Hamilton Naturalist Club has a website which provides a list and information on these 100 waterfalls and cascades as follows:

http://www.hamiltonnature.org/localspecies/waterfalls_intro.htm
 
The City of Hamilton Waterfall Group has developed the following criteria as to what is considered a waterfall or cascade in Hamilton (for the 100 found to date), which could be used as a guide for waterfalls in other locations:
 

1. The waterfall has to have a drop of at least 3 m or 10 ft. either as a vertical drop or a cascade.
 
2. The waterfall has to have a crest or width of 1m or 3 ft.
 
3. The waterfall has to have water flowing over it at least during peak storm events. Many waterfalls do dry up in the summer or dry periods.
 
4. If a waterfall is close to another waterfall on the same creek or stream, (upstream or downstream) they have to be separated so that both waterfalls are visibly distinct or they are more than 100 m apart. This means that you cannot see both waterfalls normally from one location. Therefore on some streams we have an Upper and a Lower waterfall and they count as two waterfalls.
     
5. If a waterfall is beside another waterfall but coming from two separate creeks or streams, then they could be considered as two separate waterfalls.  
    
6. The waterfall has to have some natural component to it and not be entirely man-made.  Many waterfalls have a bridge at the top or man-made channel or pipe at top or bottom to control the water. But the actual drop or waterfall section is natural.
 
7. The waterfall must be photographed with water flowing over it.
 
8.  The waterfall has to be located within the boundaries of the City of Hamilton.
 
9.  The waterfall and catchment area above need to have a defined creek, swale, ditch, storm sewer system, ravine, etc. and not just be overland flow.

 
In Hamilton many of the creeks and streams that did exist on top of the escarpment have been enclosed into storm drainage systems to allow for urban development. This has resulted in many waterfalls and cascades having storm sewer pipes or box culverts at the crest of the waterfall from which the water flows out or at the bottom to catch and contain the water. We would term these waterfalls as “Urban Waterfalls” because either the top or bottom has been modified for urban development, however, the waterfall itself is still natural.
 
In Hamilton there are no rivers, thus the flows over the waterfalls are not as great as say Niagara Falls (being on the Niagara River) and many of Hamilton’s waterfalls dry up completely in dry periods. This makes waterfall investigation a challenge especially in the summer or during extended dry periods.
 
If any of you are interested in conducting similar waterfall investigations outside the Hamilton area, anywhere along the Giant’s Rib (Niagara Escarpment) we would appreciate your help.

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Giant's Rib Director  Joe Hollick
Wins a National Tourism Award for his work on Hamilton Waterfalls.

above:  Award winning poster 2008 for Best Travel Photography
“Waterfalls of Hamilton Springs” a photo series of Hamilton’s 100 waterfalls.
Dundas Star Story

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1. Middle Quarry Cascade                 
2. Lower Quarry Cascade             
3. Boundary Falls                 
4. Snake Falls                     
5. Lower Snake Falls                     
6. Kilbride Falls
7. Colling Cascade                 
8. Bronte Creek – 407 Waterfall

1. The first waterfall in the Burlington slide show is Middle Quarry Cascade.
It is located on private property just inside the Burlington/Hamilton city limit and south of Upper Quarry Cascade in Hamilton. It has flow during peak storm events and after the winter snow melt.
It originates from an underground source part way down a slope and not from the top, possibly from the former quarry floor which may have been filled at this location.

2. The second waterfall for the Burlington slide show is Lower Quarry Cascade.
It is located on private property in Burlington about 50 m downstream of Middle Quarry Cascade.
It is a cascade type waterfall and has water flowing during seasonal storms and after the winter snow melt.

3. The third waterfall on my Burlington list is Boundary Falls.
What is unique about this waterfall is that it is located on the boundary line of Burlington and Hamilton, thus is located in both cities. The top of the waterfall is located in the Waterdown section of Hamilton and the bottom is located in Burlington. It has a large overhanging cap rock which is interesting to view even when the waterfall is dry. This waterfall is dry most of the time and has flow during seasonal storms and after the winter snow melt. It is located on a separate ravine near Snake Falls.
 
4. This fourth photo is of Snake Falls located in Burlington.
It is located on a tributary of the Grindstone Creek beside the east end of Snake Road. It is a cascade type waterfall and has year round flow. It is the highest waterfall in Burlington with a height of 25 m.

5 Lower Snake Falls is the 5th waterfall.
It is located about 100 m downstream of Snake Falls on a tributary of the Grindstone Creek in Burlington just before it enters the main tributary of the Grindstone Creek. It is visible from the Bruce Trail on the east side of the Grindstone Creek. It has year round flow and is considered a cascade type waterfall.

6. Kilbride Falls is the 6th waterfall on my Burlington list.
It is located on the east side of Cedar Springs Rd. on the hill just as you approach Kilbride from the south side. It is located on the Bronte Creek and is considered a cascade type waterfall. It has year round flow.

7. Colling Cascade is the 7th waterfall/cascade in Burlington
It is located in Burlington on west side of Cedar Springs Rd. just north of Colling Rd. at 5380 Cedar Springs Rd.
It is a small cascade, 1m wide x 3m high (total height) and emanates from an old concrete box culvert under the roadway.
It is located on private property, however it is visible from the shoulder of the roadway.

8. This is the 8th and last waterfall in Burlington.
It is called Bronte Creek - 407 Waterfall. It is located east of Appleby Line on the west side of Bronte Creek 30m south of the Highway 407 bridge over the Bronte Creek. This is a small tributary of the Bronte Creek, which originates from a farmer’s field on the north side of Highway 407 (east of Appleby Line) via a culvert under the highway. This waterfall is not accessible and is dry much of the time.