Great Falls

Great Falls, also known as Grindstone Falls, has
a height of 10m or 33 feet, and a crest width of 5m or 16 feet.
It is located on the Grindstone Creek in Waterdown section of
Hamilton just off Mill Street, and has year round flow. A viewing
platform has been built beside the waterfall as well as a parking
lot.

History

This area, known as Smokey Hollow, was once heavily industrial,
as the Grindstone Creek was a power source for a sawmill at the
base of Great Falls, as well as other mills that appeared over
the years. By 1912, however, the mills had all closed, as the
water level in Grindstone Creek had gone down and the steam engines
that propelled the waterpower were acknowledged to be too dangerous.
Today, thanks to a rehabilitation program implemented by Waterdown
residents, the locality is a beautiful and well-kept park.

Great Falls is one of thirteen Hamilton area waterfalls to be
featured regularly on postcards. it waterfall has also appeared
on the three Joe Hollick posters titled “WATERFALLS OF
HAMILTON” “SEASONS”, “AUTUMN” and “SPRING”.
On the Seasons and the Autumn posters, it was called ” Grindstone
Falls” and on the Spring poster it was called ” Great
Falls”.

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How to get there

To reach Great Falls by car, drive along the
403 toward Toronto, exiting on Hwy 6 North. You will then exit
on Hwy 5 North (Dundas Street East). Head east, then turn right
on Mill Street. Keep driving until you come to Smokey Hollow
Park on the right. Great Falls is close to the parking lot.

To reach the waterfall by walking trail, you
can take the Waterdown section of the Bruce Trail.

Great Falls Photo Gallery

Great Falls
Great Falls

Photo by Ralf Nowak. Click to enlarge

 Great Falls

Great Falls aka Waterdown Fall in a 1909 postcard

courtesy of Joe Hollick. Click to enlarge
Great Falls
Great Falls

Photo by Robert Rice. Click to enlarge
Great Falls
Great Falls in Winter. Photo by Joe Hollick
. Click to enlarge
Great Falls
Great Falls in Winter. Photo by Ray Riddell.
Click to enlarge
Great Falls
Great Falls in Winter. Photo by Ray Riddell.
Click to enlarge
Great Falls

Great Falls in winter. Photo by Caroline Nutter. Click to
enlarge.
Great Falls

Great Falls in frozen silence. Photo by Dan Court. Click
to enlarge.
Great Falls

Great Falls in frozen silence. Photo by Dan Court. Click to enlarge.
Great Falls

Great Falls in winter. Photo by Dan Court. Click to enlarge.
Great Falls

Great Falls. Photo by Deb Cole. Click to enlarge.
Great Falls

Great Falls. Photo by Deb Cole. Click to enlarge.
Great Falls

Great Falls in winter. Photo by Dan Court. Click to enlarge.
Great Falls

Great Falls in winter. Photo by Dan Court. Click to enlarge.
Great Falls

Great Falls in winter. Photo by Dan Court. Click to enlarge.

Great Falls Video