Della Falls

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Della Falls is a waterfall in Strathcona Provincial Park on Vancouver Island. It is widely regarded as the tallest in Canada, though there is some question as to whether it deserves this title (see Height).

[edit] Location

Della Falls is located 60 km from the town of Port Alberni, British Columbia in Strathcona Provincial Park.

The only way to reach Della Falls, other than by helicopter, is by crossing the entire Great Central Lake by boat; the only road access to the lake is at the opposite side from Strathcona Park. After the 20-km crossing, there is a dock that marks the beginning of Strathcona Park, which can be used as a base camp before trying the next 15-km ascent to the base of Della Falls. The hike, part of which follows an old logging railway, takes about seven hours one way and is suitable for intermediate level hikers.

[edit] Discovery

In 1899, prospector and trapper Joe Drinkwater discovered Della Falls and named them after his wife. Drinkwater also built a 16-km hiking trail to the falls via Drinkwater Creek. Evidence of his gold mining operation, including an aerial tramway he built, can still be seen near the falls [1].

[edit] Height

With the highest total vertical drop, measured at 440^[1] metres, Della Falls is the highest waterfall in Canada,^[1] though several other waterfalls in British Columbia are thought to exceed 600 metres: Alfred Creek Falls,^[2][3] Deserted River Falls,^[4][5] Francis Falls,^[6] and Gold Creek Falls;^[7] this is not in vertical height, so they may not be considered the tallest.

[edit] See also

• List of waterfalls
• Strathcona Provincial Park

[edit] External links

• Trail Information
• Atlas of Canada list of tallest waterfalls
• Capital Iron Camping This Victoria outdoor store's website contains information on hiking della falls.

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b} Waterfalls. The Atlas of Canada, Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved on 2006-03-30.
2. ^ Alfred Creek Falls. World waterfall database. Retrieved on 2006-03-29.
3. ^ Alfred Creek Falls. Waterfalls of the Pacific Northwest. Retrieved on 2006-03-29.
4. ^ Deserted River Falls. World waterfall database. Retrieved on 2006-03-29.
5. ^ Deserted River Falls. Waterfalls of the Pacific Northwest. Retrieved on 2006-03-29.
6. ^ Francis Falls. World waterfall database. Retrieved on 2006-03-29.
7. ^ Gold Creek Falls. World waterfall database. Retrieved on 2006-03-29.