Chaudière Falls


November 2012

Province: Quebec

Location: Lévis

Height: 40m

Crest: 180m

Water Source: Chaudière River

Waypoint: 46.715533N 71.282719W

Summary: A very large waterfall opposite of Quebec City. Water is diverted for power generation, but when it is flowing, this is a massive waterfall. Unfortunately I visited it when the flow was low, and the lighting was bad.

Chaudière Falls is a large waterfall on the Chaudière River, just before it enters the Saint Lawrence River. It is only half the height of the nearby Montmorency Falls, but it is much, much wider. The Chaudière River also has three times the average flow of the Montmorency. A lot of the water is diverted for power generation before it reaches the falls. Depending on water levels, the falls can be a span the whole 120m, or be broken up into several separate segments.

There are a variety of viewing opporutunities at the falls. On the east side of the river there are a number of viewing platforms high above the gorge and falls. Stairs will take you down into the gorge and to a bridge that spans the river 300m downstream of the falls. On the west side of falls there are trails and viewing areas a bit closer to falls.

This is a very easy waterfall to visit. There is a park centered on the falls. The park is located just off of Autoroute 73. Exit 130 will take you there.

I visited the falls in November, which is not a good time to see this waterfall. The flow was greatly reduced. I assume they divert more water for power generation during the non tourist season. Also, the falls faces north, and the sun is behind the falls, and low in the sky, making it hard to take good photos. None of the photos on this page really do the waterfall justice.

Nearby Falls

There are a lot of waterfalls in this part of the world. The much smaller Beauport Falls and Kabir Kouba Falls are both within 25km to the north. The equally large Montmorency Falls is a 30km drive away, and another 15km beyond that. Saint Anne Canyon, Sept Chutes, and Jean Larose Falls are all about 30km to the east of that. Dozens of other waterfalls are within an hours drive.

Photo Gallery








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Last Modified: Tuesday, 27-Nov-2012 20:08:33 MST.

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