T.S. Giilck
It would be a fascinating – and delightful – exercise to try to discover every waterfall along the Niagara Escarpment in Grey County.
Grey County Tourism has made a stab at it with their mega-popular waterfall tour, but there’s always room to add more.
Most of the cascades, of course, such as Inglis, Indian, and Walter’s Falls, are well-known to the public, as are Eugenia, Hogg’s, and McGowan falls.
Some of the lesser-known ones are just as intriguing, in locations such as Wodehouse and Anthea Falls, along with a seasonal cascade in Woodford.
You can add Webwood Falls, located along the dividing line of the Municipality of Meaford and Grey Highlands, to that list now, as it has become a comparatively recent addition to the county waterfalls tour.
The property came into the possession of the Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC) by way of donation from the Horwood family in 2011, and it’s been a spectacular addition to the trail.
The waterfall itself is worth the short journey towards Kimberley on its own. A true cascading waterfall, although not a ‘bridal veil’ falls such as you find at Indian Falls or Hogg’s Falls, it’s much more akin to Walter’s Falls in style. Below the falls, the property flows off into a striking ravine, well-covered with a lush growth of plants. The falls are located no more than 100 metres off the nearest side-road, making it one of the most easily reached waterfalls in the county.
I visited the property last month in search of some of its unusual flora, specifically painted trilliums, to no avail.
Joan Nuffield is one of the most knowledgeable people involved with the property. She had no difficulty in outlining what the appeal of the property is.
“The stunning falls, mature sugar maple forest in some places (not on BTC property), the ravine, the flora and fauna, the historical significance (it’s formerly a mill which served much of the county), and the remnants of the original garden (are all highlights),” she said.
“There are no painted trilliums on the property” she clarified, despite what the BTC states on its website, “but there are over 200 species of flora recorded on the property, which can be viewed from the trail.” Noteworthy species include the Carolina Spring Beauty and Northern Starflower.
Nuffield stressed though, that the Bruce Trail Conservancy asks that visitors “not to climb down into the ravine!”
“It contains a delicate ecosystem, and erosion of the banks of the ravine from visitors is already creating problems,” she explained. “Tthe Bruce Trail has been working to eradicate two serious problems on the property, from invasive species (buckthorn and garlic mustard). These species pose a serious threat to native flora; garlic mustard, in particular, spreads very quickly and will wipe out all native plants in its path, given enough time.”
The Webwood section links into the Fairmount wetlands in Meaford as well (also owned by the BTC), making it a very important component in preserving the ecological integrity of the property. It’s collectively referred to as the Fairmount-Webwood Passage by the BTC. Most of the more interesting vegetation is found in the wetlands and ravines.
The Bruce Trail meanders through both sections, heading north toward Georgian Bay. The path through this section is relatively short, no more than a few kilometres.
The BTC has plans for a viewing platform at the falls, which will make it even more easily accessible.
