20,000 years ago, much of central North America was inundated by a huge inland sea. Lake Agassiz was left in the place of receding continental glaciers. As millions of tonnes of earth and rock were moved and river systems were formed and diverted, a prairie landscape was created. Along the ancient beaches of Lake Agassiz, another natural process was at work: escarpmental erosion. This in addition to wave and glacial activity helped shape formed the present Manitoba Escarpment. This major geographical feature dominates the horizon within Central Manitoba.  
   The Manitoba Escarpment is a terraced ridge which separates the rolling western plateau country from the lowlands of the Red River Valley . 
 

Rising in South Dakota, U.S.A. the Escarpment winds its way North, always angling slightly to the West. It passes just by Fargo and Grand Forks, heading towards Langdon, North Dakota, and up into Manitoba, Canada.      The Americans call it the Pembina Escarpment or the Pembina Gorge. It forms the backbone of Manitoba's Spruce Woods region. Further north, it rises as the eastern edge of the Riding Mountain and Duck Mountain Parks and also the Porcupine Hills.

 

No matter where it is or what you call it The Escarpment is a fascinating landform which seems to have the stimulating effect on prairie people. "I didn't expect to see anything like this out here; It's beautiful!," is a common comment heard from many first time visitors.

 

The Manitoba Escarpment represents the Western beach-edge of Lake Agassiz, the massive lake which was left after the final retreat of the glaciers some 8000 years ago.