Flora and fauna
Because of the continuous flow of water over the falls, the localized area has developed its own micro-climate. A wide variety of mosses, lichens, and fungi can be found in the immediate area around the base of the falls. There are also a variety of ferns whose origins date back to before the last Ice Age. The dominant winter feature downstream and to the right of the falls is the ice that builds up on top of a small island there. This island only rises a few feet above the downstream water level in Summer, but by late-February, the accumulation of ice builds to approximately 3-5 metres thick with the months-long accumulation of freezing spray.
At the periphery of this barrier between liquid water and frozen surroundings, lies a thin ridge of plant growth that continues to survive throughout the harshest of the -45 degree Centigrade days in this frigid northern wilderness, while normally, the process of photosynthesis ceases in the surrounding area.
It is common to see one or more of the local otters using the large ice buildup as a "slide", providing the otters and lucky spectators with hours of amusement.
Landscape
Its creation is due to the intensive geological activity in the area hundreds of thousands of years ago, when violent tectonic effects caused the creation of first a fault, and then an upheaval of the southern side of the fault-line.
History
The name, "Pisew", is translated from the local Cree language meaning "Lynx", and the sound of the hissing water bearing a resemblance to the sound of this wild, northern Feline.