Reversing Falls: New Brunswick's Tidal Wonder

The Reversing Falls in New Brunswick, Canada, are a series of rapids on the Saint John River, where the river runs through a narrow gorge before emptying into the Bay of Fundy. The unique feature of this site is that the flow of the river changes direction throughout the day, due to the powerful tides of the Bay of Fundy, which has the highest tides in the world. This phenomenon has made the Reversing Falls a popular tourist attraction, offering a reminder of nature's ferocity and providing a variety of activities such as jet boat tours and zip-lining.

The Reversing Falls are a series of rapids on the Saint John River

The Reversing Falls have a long history, featuring in Mi'kmaq legends and being discovered by French explorer Samuel de Champlain. Geologically, the falls were formed thousands of years ago by the path of receding glaciers, which created the unique underwater geography of the area. This includes a series of underwater ledges that cause the water to accelerate and create rapids. In ancient times, when water levels were lower, the ledges may have formed a true waterfall.

The Reversing Falls have also been an important industrial site. The Canadian Pacific Railway constructed the Reversing Falls Railway Bridge in 1885, which was replaced in 1922 and is now used by the New Brunswick Southern Railway. The area has also been home to a foundry and other light industrial operations, as well as a large pulp mill operated by J.D. Irving since the late 1940s. In recent decades, there has been criticism of maintaining an industrial facility at a prime tourism location.

Today, the Reversing Falls are a popular tourist attraction, offering a variety of activities such as jet boat tours, zip-lining, and kayaking. Visitors can witness the power of nature as the river changes direction, providing a unique and captivating experience.

The river runs through a narrow gorge before emptying into the Bay of Fundy

The Reversing Falls are a series of rapids on the Saint John River in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. The river runs through a narrow gorge before emptying into the Bay of Fundy.

The river passes through the gorge, which forms the rapid falls. The Reversing Falls exhibit an interesting reverse flow of water caused by the change of tides in the Bay of Fundy. The Bay records the highest tidal range in the world. The Reversing Falls are a popular site in Saint John and a major tourist attraction in the area.

The Reversing Falls appear normal until the reverse movement of water is observed. The phenomenon occurs due to a collision between the waters of the Bay of Fundy and the Saint John River. The high tides of the bay cause the water from the Saint John River to flow against the currents whenever the tides are high. At low tide, the Saint John River pours water into the bay, resulting in a series of whirlpools and rapids. As the tide rises, it slows the river current for a brief period, known as slack tide. When the tide continues to rise, the flow of the river is reversed, forcing water to flow upstream. The higher the tide, the higher the reverse flow of water.

The Saint John River, which is 450 miles long, empties into the bay when the tide is low. The tides of the Bay of Fundy occur about once every 12 hours and are caused by tidal action in the southern regions of the Indian Ocean. When the river flows between Fallsview Park and the Pulp Mill, its large volume of water is forced through the narrow gorge. There is an underwater ledge located 36 feet below the ground that causes the water to flow downwards into a depth of between 175 and 200 meters below the mill. As the water flows, it is met by a series of whirlpools and rapids.

The tides of the bay force the flow of water to reverse against the prevailing current

The Reversing Falls in Saint John, New Brunswick, are a series of rapids on the Saint John River, which runs through a narrow gorge before emptying into the Bay of Fundy. The unique feature of these falls is that the tides of the bay force the flow of water to reverse against the prevailing current when the tide is high.

The Bay of Fundy has the highest tides on the planet, and the Reversing Falls provide a striking demonstration of their power. When the tide is low, the Saint John River empties into the bay, creating a series of rapids and whirlpools. As the tide rises, it slows the river current, and then gradually reverses the flow of the river, with the rapids forming again and peaking at high tide. This phenomenon occurs twice a day, with an interval of roughly 12.5 hours between each cycle.

The Reversing Falls are not just a natural wonder but also hold cultural significance. They have captivated people for centuries, featuring in Mi'kmaq legends and being discovered by French explorer Samuel de Champlain. Additionally, some locals believe that the falls are home to a creature similar to the Loch Ness Monster, called "Ug Wug."

The force of the reversing tides is so strong that it creates a significant navigation hazard. Vessels wishing to enter or exit the river must wait for the brief period of slack tide, when the water is still, to pass through safely. This challenge has existed for centuries, and even today, ships can only sail during these calm periods.

The Reversing Falls have also played an important industrial role for over a century. The Canadian Pacific Railway constructed the Reversing Falls Railway Bridge in 1885, and the site has been home to a foundry and other light industrial operations. However, in recent decades, there has been criticism of maintaining industrial facilities at what is considered one of Saint John's prime tourism locations.

The Reversing Falls have been an important industrial site for over a century

The Reversing Falls in Saint John, New Brunswick, have been an important industrial site for over a century. The Canadian Pacific Railway constructed the Reversing Falls Railway Bridge in 1885, which was replaced in 1922 and is currently used by the New Brunswick Southern Railway. The railway bridge crosses the gorge immediately downstream from the falls, running parallel to the Reversing Falls Road Bridge.

The location of the falls has been a hub of industrial activity, with a foundry and other light industrial operations on the east side of the gorge, and a large pulp mill on the west side. The pulp mill has been in operation since the late 1940s when it was purchased by the J.D. Irving company, which has faced criticism for maintaining an industrial facility at a prime tourism location in Saint John. This criticism intensified during the 1980s and 1990s when the city government developed Fallsview Park, converting the former industrial foundry lands on the east side of the gorge into a public park.

Despite the industrial presence, the Reversing Falls have also become a popular tourist attraction due to their unique natural phenomenon. The falls are a series of rapids on the Saint John River, which runs through a narrow gorge before emptying into the Bay of Fundy. The high tides of the bay force the flow of water to reverse against the prevailing current, creating rapids and whirlpools. This reversal of water flow occurs twice a day, and tourists can observe the powerful display of nature from various viewpoints, including Fallsview Park and the Reversing Falls Bridge.

The Reversing Falls have captivated people for centuries, dating back to Mi'kmaq legends and the exploration of Samuel de Champlain. The falls offer a range of activities for visitors, including jet boat tours, zip-lining, and kayaking, making them one of the most unique and oldest attractions in the province.

The best viewing points include Fallsview Park and Wolastoq Park

The Reversing Falls in New Brunswick are a series of rapids on the Saint John River, located in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. The river passes through a narrow gorge before emptying into the Bay of Fundy, which has the highest tides in the world. The resulting collision of waters causes the river to flow in different directions throughout the day, creating a unique phenomenon.

The best viewing points to witness this natural spectacle include Fallsview Park and Wolastoq Park, both offering distinct perspectives. Fallsview Park, located close to the falls, provides a convenient and easily accessible viewing area. From here, visitors can observe the power of the reversing rapids as the river surges through the gorge. The park offers a front-row seat to the dynamic water flow, with the opportunity to witness the river's current slowing down during the slack tide and then reversing its direction as the tide rises.

On the other hand, Wolastoq Park offers a bird's-eye view of the Reversing Falls. Here, visitors can take in the broader panorama, seeing the river and the bay from above. This elevated perspective allows for a different understanding of the scale and force of the reversing tides. The contrast between the rushing water and the serene surroundings can be particularly striking from this vantage point.

In addition to these parks, there are other ways to experience the Reversing Falls. One option is to take a jet boat tour, which allows visitors to get up close and personal with the rapids. There are also zip line tours that traverse the length of the rapids, providing a thrilling and unique perspective. For those who prefer a more relaxed pace, there are also parks and paths along the river where one can stroll and enjoy the beauty of the falls at their leisure.

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