Monday marks the last day of August, and the Gillis Lake Falls on the outskirts of Coxheath, N.S., were running nicely ahead of September. “It’s absolutely stunning,” said Benoit Lalonde, who wrote the book on Nova Scotia’s waterfalls – literally. Lalonde penned “Waterfalls of Nova Scotia: A Guide” in 2018 and “Waterfalls of Cape Breton Island” in 2021. The ecological author said he’s looking forward to seeing how the province’s significant rainfall improves the falls’ flow. “It’s such a difference,” Lalonde said of waterfalls after heavy rain. “People have sent me pictures of a roaring waterfall that I have been to but let’s say in a drier time, and it’s hard to recognize.” If it seems like this August was rainier than normal, CTV Atlantic meteorologist Kalin Mitchell confirmed that for a large portion of Cape Breton - it was. Some standout spots include 164 mm for the month in Sydney, N.S. - compared to a climate average of 99 mm. There was just over 197 mm of rain in St. Ann’s, N.S., not far from the North River Falls - the tallest in Nova Scotia. The wettest spot in the province may have been a whopping 206.5 mm in Baddeck Forks, N.S. - home of the always-popular Uisge Ban Falls. “This is still part of our peak season,” said Destination Cape Breton CEO Terry Smith. “It usually goes right to October.” For a few years now, the Island’s tourism body has encouraged visits to the Island’s waterfalls - particularly during the less busy shoulder seasons. After the recent rain, Smith said it seems like a good idea for people to try to squeeze in one last bit of summer adventure. “Whether you’re going looking for waterfalls, hiking the Skyline Trail or some of our other popular trails around the Island, maybe going kayaking, go out on a whale watch tour - there’s all kinds of things to do over this coming weekend,” Smith said. With the Labour Day long weekend coming up, you don’t have to “stick to the rivers and lakes that you’re used to” – to borrow a phrase from the R&B group TLC’s 90s hit song, “Waterfalls.” “Just be mindful there is a bit more current at this time when there has been a lot of rainfall, but yeah it’s going to be a great weekend for sure,” Lalonde said. “I’m going to be out there, 100 per cent.” For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
