Beyond the 30 kilometre stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway from Red Rocks, to the end of the Codroy Valley, windspeeds are seldom as high as those in the Wreckhouse area. Wind speeds in the Wreckhouse area have been measured at greater than category one hurricane strength. In the past trains were often blown off the tracks when the winds reached their peak. Today, it is not uncommon to see transport trucks blown on their sides along this stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway. The strength and frequency of these winds have had a great influence on the vegetation in the area.
Trees are either absent or are very stunted in their growth.
Tuckermore, a low growing spruce, is very common. This photograph is used with the permission of the Terrain Science Division, Geological Survey of Canada. For Questions and Comments, contact Jim Cornish Grade Five Teacher, Gander Academy Gander, Newfoundland, Canada. This page was last updated November 23, 1999.