Holley Canal Falls

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Description

AKA: Holley Falls; Canal Falls; Glen Falls; Holley's Glen Falls
The land just south of Lake Ontario in Western New York is relatively flat, with dirt and clay glacial drumlins creating most of the relief. Waterfalls in this basin, that traverse large rock escarpments, such as Holley, Waterport and Wolcott Falls, are rarities. The glen that contains Holley Falls, was actually carved out long ago by Sandy Creek as it cut along a north-south ridge east of present-day Holley. The natural waterfall that most-likely led the excavation of the glen has since receded over a mile south to the crossing at S Holley Road, where a dam taps it for power-generation. Although the glen's origins predate history, Holley Canal Falls' beginnings can be traced back to about 1918, with the construction of the Barge Canal.

As one enters Glen Park, the scene is striking. Out of a densely wooded hillside, a large frothy cascade tumbles down reddish rock and into a shallow pool, which then meanders around a small park and joins a passing creek. The creek then seems to disappear below that very same hillside to the north. This picturesque setting is actually the result of a marvel of engineering, of which the waterfall is just a side-affect. Holley Falls is, in fact, man-made—the unintended result of excess water emptying from the Erie Canal. Water empties from the canal through an adjustable weir just up the embankment and tumbles down several drops as it works its way through the tree-covered hilltop. Here it even splits in two briefly only to rejoin before it drops 35 feet over the escarpment creating Holley Falls.

The red rock and soil that create such a striking view (especially against the fresh green foliage of spring) is the result of Media Sandstone, which contains high amounts of oxidized iron (rust). Occasionally, sudden bouts of high rain will wash large quantities of the red soil into the falls, briefly turning the waters pink, but for the most part the falls is a frothy white, leaving a trail of suds that swirl in the waters underneath. The canal's water-flow joins Sandy Creek just 20 yards from the falls, and it them exits the glen underneath a man-made section of the canal's embankment.

A few benches, picnic tables and a covered pavilion are great ways to enjoy the sights and sounds of the falls with friends and family, and a series of well-maintained trails take you up the embankment for better views of the canal and the falls from the top. A few offshoots will get you to the rushing waters just above the falls, and a bit of shuffling upstream and you can see the waste weir clearly. Trails also connect the glen with the Canal Park on the waterfront to the northwest, making this an excellent picnicking and hiking outing. 

History

Although the town of Murray was first settled around 1809, it wasn't until after the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825 that the community of Holley began to take hold. Originally a sparse settlement called Saltport, named for the salt springs discovered along Sandy Creek, the settlers would collect brine, boil away the water, and then use the salt to preserve meat and produce. The proximity of Holley to the cool, moist air of Lake Ontario blessed it with excellent conditions for fruit orchards, from which it would prosper once the Canal allowed for better distribution of the goods.

As the canal was surveyed and construction took place on the massive abutment over Sandy Creek, workers camped in Saltport, boosting the economy and demonstrating the potential the canal had as an economic catalyst. Some workers even stayed to settle in the area. This abrupt and unexpected success of the canal was obviously exciting to the early residents of Saltport, who renamed the settlement "Holleyville," after Canal Commissioner Myron Holley. It was incorporated in 1850 as the Village of Holley. The principal industry in Holley, from the onset of the canal up through today, is agriculture with an emphasis on fruit orchards, evident with the large number of fruit stands and farm markets peddling fresh apples and cherries.

It wasn't until the Barge Canal system, a significant upgrade to the Erie Canal, was completed in 1918 that Holley Falls was formed. One particular upgrade to the old Erie Canal was a drainage system that handled overflow and allowed for the canal to be drained in winter. This system was key in preventing flooding and freezing damage to the canal and its surroundings. A waste weir was installed in Holley, and water poured out and down the escarpment below and into Sandy Creek. It probably took several years for the water to erode away the soil and plant life and the falls to take shape. During this time the land that is now the park was wild and wooded. In 1985 the village began to clear the grounds, revealing the hidden falls to the public. In the late 90s the State of New York began a campaign to assist canal-side communities in developing the canal as parks and entertainment districts. Holley was awarded a grant under this program and began work developing the Glen and Canal parks as well as a network of trails.

Hiking / Trails / Exploration

Difficulty: Easy.

Distance: Less than a mile, to get to the falls, nearly two miles to loop to Canal Park and back.

Markings: Wide dirt, gravel and paved pathways.

Description: From the parking area, head left towards the wooded embankment and follow the gravel path to the small grassy area in front of the falls. There are a few dirt trails that lead right up the embankment. It's up to you if you want to take the tough climb up. An easier way is to head back to the parking area and then cross the bridge over Sandy Creek towards the pavilion.

Just before the pavilion, the trail shoots off into the wooded area to the right.  At the fork, go left. Going right will lead you to an open field. The trail will have a moderate incline at this point as it leads up the scarp. Near the top, you should be able to hear the falls and follow the small offshoot to the crest.

Continue up the trail which then crosses over the weir's waters, to make it to the Canal Trail, which is wide and paved. If you lean over the railing here, you can catch a glimpse of the waste weir. Where the first picnic table is, you can shuffle down the embankment a bit to see the small drops and the crest of Holley Falls.

You have several options for getting back. If you are in the woods above the falls, steep trails will take you down the hillside and put you in the grassy area next to the falls. The Canal Trail, heading north-west will get you to Canal Park, and a looping trail that leads back to the parking area at Glen Park. Or just turn around and head back the way you came.

Maps: See the interactive map below

Photography tips

Foreground — Don't just zoom into the falls, there's plenty to work into the foreground of your shots, including the stream, picnic tables and the large orange boulder.

The creek — don't just concentrate on the waterfalls, there are plenty of small drops, twists in the creek, interesting stones and trees along the way.

Links of Interest

Pavilion reservation information
Visions of Holley (blog)
Orleans County Tourism