18. Great Divide Waterfall

For all its natural beauty, my province has an abundance of manufactured tourist attractions. The Great Divide Waterfall (24 feet higher than Niagara falls!) is one of the most spectacular and ridiculous.

Here's the deal: Edmonton has a large steel bridge, built around 1913. About 20 years ago the city fathers (and mothers, I suppose) decided to turn it into a waterfall to commemorate Alberta's 75th anniversary.

A few times every summer they turn on the waterfall and dump millions of litres of fresh water into the river below. It is an amazing sight, and I'm always captivated by it. But still, it's a giant man-made waterfall in the Canadian prairies. I suppose its sheer irrationality is part of what makes it a great spectacle.

My city may be better known for its spectacles (e.g. the mall) than for the things that make it livable: cleanliness, safety, affordability, abundant green spaces, low asshole ratio, good environmental programs, and professional hockey team.