igoo-i.] On the Ancient Drainage at Niagara Falls. 



ON THE ANCIENT DRAINAGE AT NIAGARA FALLS. 



By p. W. Currie. 



(Read gth March, igoi). 



In preparing this paper, the writer has orone over the ground 

 confirming and adding proofs of the statement of others in regard to 

 the old watercourses of the Niagara District.* 



THE COURSE OF THE PRE-GLACIAL TONAWANDA RIVER 

 IN CANADA. 



The river crossed the present Niagara river nearly at right angles. 

 The edge of the southern bank where it crossed the river is now 

 indicated by the line of breakers above the Falls. The hollow below 

 these breakers is directly due to the erosive action of the ancient 

 stream. Its northern limit was the bank now called Hubbard's Hill, 

 ending on the Canadian side at Mr. Alexander Eraser's house, and 

 shown also on the opposite or American bank of the modern 

 river. 



Further evidence of this former channel is found in the character of 

 the soil and of the rock levels in Queen Victoria Niagara Falls Park, 

 At the Dufferin Islands and at Table Rock, the rock level is at the 

 surface. At the Power House where the bed rock is exposed, it is 

 about eleven feet below the level of the water in the channel east of 

 Cedar Island. Opposite the Carmelite Monastery, the rock level is 

 about twelve feet below the water level in this same channel. At 

 the gravel pit rock was found at a depth of about eighteen feet 

 below the same water level. Near the high bank forming the 



* He has to acknowledge the kindness of Dr. J. W. Spencer, whose theory as to the old watercourses 

 is the one accepted in this paper ; also many favours from Mr. Wilson, Superintendent of Queen Victoria 

 Niagara Falls Park ; Mr. C. H. Mitchell, Engineer at Niagara Falls, and his assistant, Mr. Howard Dixon ; 

 Mr, Rothery, Superintendent ot the Park and River Railway; and Captain Carter of the "Maid of the 

 Mist," all of whom aided very much in gathering materials for the paper. 



