What makes the reversing falls unique

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The answers lie thousands of years ago when the sides of the gorge along the Saint John River were formed by the path of receding glaciers. While the Reversing Falls in Saint John, NB might appear to be flat, a series of submerged ledges lie just beneath the surface which cause the fierce torrent of the rapids to accelerate before a sharp drop where the river widens.

Essentially, the Reversing Falls are practically an underwater waterfall. In fact, in ancient times when the water level was lower , they likely were a true waterfall. Despite originally being used as an industrial centre in the early 20 th century, the area around the Reversing Falls became more vibrant as their fame grew around the world. Today, there are a variety of activities around the falls for both visitors and Saint Johners to enjoy.

One of the most popular Reversing Falls activities are jet boat tours that allow people to get up close and personal with one of the most unique aquatic zones in New Brunswick. Access is provided by the Town of Harpswell via Ash Point Road and Gristmill Road; a small parking area on the left has room for two vehicles. Two rivers reverse in the Midcoast region. At Sheepscot, nearly sixty miles of river, including Sheepscot, Turner, Long, Dyer, and Pleasant Ponds, join the Dyer River, the river nearly folding back on itself as it winds past Dyer Neck and through a narrow gap in a glacial esker before the river widens above Wiscasset.

The falls are best viewed by boat from the water; there is no public access. Easier viewing can be found less than seven miles east, where the Damariscotta River makes a similar twisting path around Glidden Point and beneath the Route 1A bridge between Newcastle and Damariscotta.

Without a lot of freshwater flow, marine waters linger in the Damariscotta system, lending a name to Great Salt Bay and a greenish hue to the water. Here the falls are rarely slack, as high tide forces itself upstream, reversing the flow. Seabirds, schoolie stripers, and the occasional seal follow the tide inland, feeding on krill and other tiny creatures carried by the advancing saltwater.

As the tide continues to drop, foaming rapids and standing waves emerge accompanied by the sound of rushing water. The birds disperse, only to return again at high tide, terns and laughing gulls hovering above the river, diving for food.

The next set of falls are on the east side of Penobscot Bay. On Cape Rosier, adjacent to Holbrook Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Goose Pond drains to the bay through a cleft in a bedrock outcrop in a chute of whitewater at low tide.