Niagara Escarpment - Human Geography

Human Geography

The Welland Canal allows ships to traverse the escarpment between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario on the Niagara Peninsula of Ontario. The escarpment was a major obstacle in the construction of the Erie Canal in New York and was traversed by a series of locks; the community which grew up at the site thus became known as Lockport, New York.

In southern Ontario, the Bruce Trail runs the length of the escarpment from Queenston on the Niagara River to Tobermory on the Bruce Peninsula. Highway 401, Canada's busiest, also crosses the Niagara Escarpment, beginning its long descent through rolling hills, farmland, and towns west of Milton. Rock exposed on the face of the escarpment can be seen along Highway 26 (Ontario) from Owen Sound eastwards towards Meaford, Ontario.

Hamilton, Ontario, is situated on the escarpment in such a way that the north end of the city is below and the south part above. Affectionately referred to as "The Mountain" by its residents, there are a number of roads or "mountain accesses" that join the urban core below with the suburban expansion above.

High Cliff State Park in Wisconsin shows how modern and prehistoric humans used the escarpment for not only cultural reasons but economic gains as well. There are a number of different animal and geometric effigy mounds and the remains of an early twentieth century limestone quarry and kiln within the park.

The relief and exposed edge is used by several wind farms stretching from Pipe, Wisconsin to Brownsville, Wisconsin. Wind speeds average 18 mph along this stretch.

The Niagara Escarpment is a prominent feature just east of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and it is known there as "The Ledge". Some local organizations take their name from it, including The Ledgers, the sports teams at St. Mary's Springs Academy, which is perched on the side of the The Ledge.

Many resorts and ski areas in Ontario, Michigan, Wisconsin and New York are located along the Escarpment.