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Eramosa Karst Conservation Area
The Eramosa Karst is the Hamilton Conservation Authority's newest Conservation Area. Located in the south-western section of the Stoney Creek area of Hamilton, Eramosa Karst Conservation Area is part of the Davis Creek watershed. The Conservation Area extends from Highland Road to south of Rymal Road, and from Upper Mount Albion Road to Second Road West.
A karst occurs whenever acidic water starts to break down the surface of bedrock near its cracks,or bedding planes. As the bedrock (like limestone or dolostone of the Niagara Escarpment) continues to break down, its cracks tend to get bigger. As time goes on, these fractures will become wider, and eventually, a drainage system of some sort may start to form underneath.
The Ministry of Natural Resources designated the Eramosa Karst lands as an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest in 2003. The geological formations include a 335 metre long cave, the 10th longest in Ontario, as well as sink holes and dry valleys.
From meadows to woodland forests the Eramosa Karst Conservation Area contains over 4 kms of trails and is a green oasis in an area that is becoming heavily populated.
