The Secret Treatment Plant Falls of Little Falls, New Jersey

Located in the Passaic County town of Totowa and viewable from Little Falls is a large but little-known waterfall known as Treatment Plant Falls. The unusual name comes from the water treatment plant from which it originates. A short hike through the run-down Morris Canal Park will bring you to the banks of the Passaic River, from which you can see the falls. Treatment Plant Falls are significantly taller and arguably much more impressive than the nearby Little Falls, for which the town is named. Continue reading to learn how to get to this hidden waterfall in Passaic County.

Treatment Plant Falls

From the municipal parking area, there is an obvious paved trail and a less obvious gravel trail located near a gazebo and some picnic tables. You will need to take the gravel trail as it brings you down to the Passaic River. You can hear the waterfall from the paved trail, but you cannot see it well, if at all, through the trees.

Begin the gravel trail, which begins a gradual descent downhill. Unfortunately, the trail has sustained major damage in spots, and it is honestly surprising that it is still open. About halfway down the trail, you will approach a small bridge over a storm drain runoff ditch. Most of the handrails on the bridge have fallen off, two wooden planks are completely missing, and it is starting to become overgrown on the sides. A fall from the bridge is about 10 feet. Cross carefully as the remaining planks are likely in poor condition and not sturdy.

Unfortunately, the trail past the bridge is in no better shape. There are multiple benches crushed by trees or washed partially away, and there is trash everywhere. Trash cans are present, but they look like they have not been emptied in months. Eventually, you will reach the Passaic River. From here, you can see the waterfall straight ahead. You can walk slightly upstream to get a more head-on view if desired.

Treatment Plant Falls is man-made. A few hundred feet upriver, there is a short diversion on the Passaic River through a set of intake gates above Beattie’s Dam. Some of the water is then taken to be processed for drinking water, and the rest is returned to the river via the waterfall. Despite being man-made, the waterfall has an incredibly natural appearance as the water is allowed to fall naturally onto the rocks and into the river below, and it is surrounded by trees, blocking the majority of the treatment plant above. The only obvious sign that this waterfall is not natural is the large pipe down the middle.

From the waterfall, return to your car the way you came.

GPS Route

Additional Information

• For more information on the water treatment process at the waterfall click here.
• The waterfall is located in Totowa, but you can only see it from Little Falls.