Crawford Lake is very small but very deep, filling a vast fissure, or chasm, in the Niagara escarpment. So deep, in fact, that the bottom layers get very little sunlight, and those cold layers do not circulate and mix with the top ones. As a result, the bottom is oxygen starved, and decay does not occur. This is what we call a meromictic lake. Corn pollen samples found in soil core samples from the lakebed have made it possible to not only establish the fact of a native settlement nearby, but date it accurately as well.
From the Escarpment Lookout on the west cliffs of the canyon, you will enjoy a spectacular view. You will be looking way down at the tops of trees that can reach 100 ft. tall. Across the valley are the cliffs of Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area, which if you followed them north, circle around the north side of the plateau and lead to Kelso Conservation Area. If you follow the trail south, the west cliffs eventually taper out into a rolling flood plain of deep gravel, and you will see farms and a quarry operation reaping the rewards of the rushing waters and ice that carved out the valley so long ago.
This area is part of the Niagara Escarpment which has been designated as a world biosphere reserve by UNESCO. As you walk around the lake, or pause to enjoy the surroundings, you too will discover the attraction of the Crawford Lake Conservation Area.
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Conservation Centre |
• Auditorium
• Exhibit Gallery • Giftshop |
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Trails |
• 12 km of groomed and rugged skiing and hiking trails
• Elevated boardwalk around Crawford Lake • Niagara Escarpment Lookout • All terrain wheelchairs available from May to October |
