Pothole formations at Athabasca Falls

Pothole formations at Athabasca Falls are the result of a powerful combination of glacial meltwater, swirling currents, and abrasive sediments. These features begin to form when fast-moving water creates whirlpools in small depressions or cracks in the limestone bedrock. As the current spins, it traps pebbles, gravel, and sand, which grind against the rock in a circular motion. Over thousands of years, this action drills deeper and rounder holes into the canyon floor and walls. The hardness of the embedded quartzite and sandstone particles often exceeds that of the surrounding limestone, enabling them to erode it efficiently. Many of these potholes are found in places where the water’s velocity and turbulence were greatest, often along bends in the river or at sudden drops in elevation. Today, they appear as perfectly smooth, rounded basins—some interconnected—offering a fascinating glimpse into the long-term erosive power of glacial rivers. Hiking Athabasca Falls