Toronto waterway system

The Toronto waterway system is a network of natural and man-made watercourses in the Canadian city of Toronto. It includes many rivers and streams that flow through the area, shaping the landscape and providing important resources for the city.

This waterway system covers a large part of Toronto and features several key rivers. Among them are the Don River, Etobicoke Creek, Highland Creek, Humber River, Mimico Creek, and Rouge River. These waterways help manage water, support wildlife, and create green spaces for people to enjoy.

Map of Toronto and its rivers that make up "Toronto ravine system".

The waterways also play an important role in the history and development of Toronto. Over time, people have built bridges, dams, and other structures to control the flow of water and make use of the land. Today, the Toronto waterway system is valued for its natural beauty and its contributions to the city's environment and community.

Current rivers in Toronto

The city of Toronto has many rivers that stretch across the city and all flow into Lake Ontario. Important rivers include the Don River, the Humber River, and the Rouge River, which all begin their journey in the Oak Ridges Moraine.

The Humber River from the Dundas Street Bridge.

The Humber River is one of the major rivers in Southern Ontario, Canada. It flows into Lake Ontario and was named a special Canadian Heritage River in 1999. The Humber River collects water from many smaller streams and rivers north of Toronto.

The Don River flows into Lake Ontario at Toronto Harbour. It is formed from two smaller rivers that join together north of the lake. The area around the Don River has a deep valley shaped by ancient glaciers.

The Rouge River runs from the Oak Ridges Moraine to Lake Ontario at the eastern edge of Toronto. It passes through several nearby cities and towns and forms part of the boundary between Toronto and Pickering.


Name	Named current tributaries	Source location	Mouth location	Length
Name	Named current tributaries	Source location	Mouth location	km	mi
Black Creek		43°49′35″N 79°33′34″W	43°40′10″N 79°30′41″W
Burke Brook	Havergal Stream			9	5.6
Deerlick Creek		43°45'51.3"N 79°19'60.0"W	43°44'34.7"N 79°20'09.8"W	3	1.9
Don River	Castle Frank Brook, Yellow Creek, Taylor-Massey Creek, Burke Brook, German Mills Creek, Mud Creek	43°59′20″N 79°23′57″W	43°39'02.8"N 79°20'50.2"W	38	24
Duncan Creek		43°48'05.1"N 79°21'20.5"W	43°48'29.5"N 79°22'17.4"W	2	1.2
Etobicoke Creek	Spring Creek, Little Etobicoke Creek	43°47′19″N 79°53′39″W	43°35′05″N 79°32′28″W	61	38
German Mills Creek	Duncan Woods Creek	43°54′42″N 79°28′54″W	43°47′48″N 79°22′56″W	10	6.2
Highland Creek	West Highland Creek	43°48′54″N 79°16′51″W	43°46′0″N 79°08′41″W	29	18
Humber River	Albion Creek, Berry Creek, Black Creek, Centreville Creek, East Humber, Emery Creek, Humber Creek, King Creek, Purpleville Creek, Rainbow Creek,Salt Creek,Silver Creek, West Humber	43°56′36″N 80°00′14″W	43°37′56″N 79°28′19″W	100	62
Keating Channel		43°39′05″N 79°20′52″W	43°38′46″N 79°21′27″W	1	0.62
Mimico Creek		43°44′26″N 79°44′06″W	43°37′19″N 79°28′54″W	33	21
Mud Creek		43°41'40.8"N 79°22'50.7"W	43°40'57.0"N 79°22'00.6"W	2	1.2
Rouge River	Little Rouge River, Little Rough Creek, Katabokokohk Creek, Bruce Creek, Beaver Creek	43°56′07″N 79°24′34″W	43°47′41″N 79°06′55″W
Taylor-Massey Creek		43°46′00″N 79°18′47″W	43°42′12″N 79°19′59″W	16	9.9
West Highland Creek	Southwest Highland Creek	43°49′00″N 79°18′15″W	43°46′27″N 79°11′58″W
Yellow Creek		43°41'27.5"N 79°23'26.3"W	43°40'47.6"N 79°21'55.8"W	3	1.9

Former rivers of Toronto

Toronto once had many rivers that are now buried or removed to make space for buildings and roads as the city grew quickly.

Current rivers in Toronto

Former rivers of Toronto

Images

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