Lost Rivers Toronto

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Lost Rivers Toronto

The Lost Rivers Project has mapped the streams and waterways buried by urban development in Toronto.

It's all about a way of understanding the city in a new framework, that of urban ecosystems and watersheds. The Toronto Green Community, in partnership with the Toronto Field Naturalists and many other local groups, provides guided hikes along the buried stream courses in Toronto. Looked at the city from a watershed perspective, we can make the connections from our own backyards to the lake in a v

ery direct way. Our goal is to encourage creative approaches to solving the many environmental problems of urban areas, from small steps like turning off the tap while brushing teeth to grander visions of "day-lighting" creeks or restoring the health of our entire watershed. The objective of Lost River Walks is to help people appreciate the intimate connections between the water systems that form an essential part of their lives. We also take people on a fascinating journey into our history. Since 1995, over 15,000 people have participated in the Lost River Walks, which are a part of the Ontario Legacy Trail Program, a designation that recognizes the walks as one of the 24 best walking programs or trail systems in the province. The "Lost Rivers Walks" are a joint project of The Toronto Green Community, The Toronto Field Naturalists and community partners including Hike Ontario. The "Lost River Walks" are an official Ontario Legacy Trail, and has been voted one of the 24 best walking programs / trail systems in the province. Lost Rivers respectfully acknowledges that we are on the traditional territory of many First Nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabek, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples. Toronto is also covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaties signed with multiple Mississauga and Chippewa bands. Today, Toronto is a home and meeting place for Indigenous people from across Turtle Island. We are grateful to be on this land – Chi Miigwetch, Kinanaskomitin, Nia:wen, Maarsi, Yaw^ko, Tiawenhk.

04/20/2026

A day of mixed weather of sun, cloud, rain and some hail/sleet didn't deter the capacity group on Sunday's Lost Rivers walk at Corktown Commons.
Led by LR's John Wilson and Rene Fan along with Amy Zubick of the Distillery District Community Association, we learned of the past history, the work to safeguard the area and downtown east from flooding and the future of community involvement to maintain an ecological balance to this beautiful and functional park.
Thxs to Lost Rivers Paul Overy and Floyd Ruskin for the walk support and additional insights.

Lost Rivers will have a table at two EcoFairs next weekend.
Come visit us at Todmorden Mills Historic site on Saturday April 25 11-4 or on Sunday April 26 at the Brickworks.
Lots of maps, photos and discussion of Toronto's unseen waterways.
Mark your calendar for our next LR walk on Sunday May 3- Water, Industry and Restoration in the Don Valley 10-12:30
Details and registration coming soon.

www.lostrivers.ca

04/13/2026

Lost Rivers joined ReGgen Toronto and Water Docs on Sunday to bring Biinaagami’s giant floor map of the Great Lakes to the Brick Works.

The map...it really is giant, was a great way to experience the augmented reality (AR) storytelling hotspots that will transport you beyond the water’s edge and into its depths.
The interactive talk with Katie Doreen of Canadian Geographic and Gregary Ford of Swim Drink Fish Canada engaged us all.

An initiative of those two organizations and guided by a sharing circle of Elders, Biinaagami aims to rebuild just and healthy relations between wildlife, people and place in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence watershed.
Biinaagami means pure, clean water. Biinaagami aims to rebuild just and healthy relations between wildlife, people and place in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence watershed.

Lost Rivers has a lot planned for Earth Month and beyond.
Sunday April 19 2-4 Corktown Commons walk;
Saturday April 25 11-4 EcoFair at Todmorden Historic site;
Sunday April 26 11-4 EcoFair at the brickworks;
Saturday May 2 2-4 Garrison Creek walk with Lost Rivers and Toronto Field Naturalists;
Sunday May 3 10-12:30 Water, Industry and Restoration in the Don Valley as our contribution to the annual Jane's Walk Toronto Festival

Stay tuned here on Facebook or follow us on Eventbrite for details

04/02/2026

Lost Rivers will be at Evergreen Brickworks for Walk the Great Lakes for Earth Month

Come visit us at our table on
Sunday, April 12, 1:00 to 2:30
At Evergreen Brick Works in the BMO Atrium
550 Bayview Ave., Toronto

WALK the GREAT LAKES for EARTH MONTH

ReGgen Toronto and Water Docs are bringing Biinaagami’s giant floor map of the Great Lakes to the Brick Works. Walk the map to experience the augmented reality (AR) storytelling hotspots that will transport you beyond the water’s edge and into its depths.

Join us for an interactive talk with Katie Doreen of Canadian Geographic and Gregary Ford of Swim Drink Fish. An initiative of those two organizations and guided by a sharing circle of Elders, Biinaagami aims to rebuild just and healthy relations between wildlife, people and place in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence watershed.

Biinaagami means pure, clean water. Biinaagami aims to rebuild just and healthy relations between wildlife, people and place in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence watershed.

Trace the steps of an Anishinaabe Water Walker as she welcomes you to the Great Lakes-St.Lawrence watershed. Marvel at the vibrant, deepening blues of the lakes’ bathymetry as you walk along their flowlines. Soak up the diverse languages that came to life on the lands and waters and read the names of waterbodies in those original names. See how the land is being used among the network of waterways that flow across the landscape and whose land they flow through. Find the places most special to you — and be inspired by all the places you could go.

Register to join us!

Presented by Regenerating Toronto [https://www.regentoronto.org/] & Water Docs[https://]as part of the Evergreen Brick Works'Earth Month Sunday Seriesat the BMO Atrium, Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave, TorontoJoin us for an interactive talk with Katie Kaia’ton:ni Doreen of CanadianGeographic and Greg...

03/09/2026

Lost Rivers led a walk on Sunday to recognize International Women's Day. It was a beautiful early spring day where the sidewalks seem to be wider as the snow and ice are finally gone.

Our route followed a portion of buried Russell Creek through the Grange, Chinatown and Kensington Market neighbourhoods.
Starting at St Patrick Square, where the question was put- "how do you feel about Indigenous land acknowledgements"...it was a novel way to approach recognition.

The capacity walk was led by Helen Mills and Adam Wynne with guest speakers Arlene Chan, Ceta Ramkhalawansingh and Councillor Dianne Saxe.

Ceta spoke to her long time commitment to civic activism and ongoing community engagement led by women in her community.
Arlene related stories of her mother-Jean Lum, a pioneer advocate for women's rights and the Asian community in Toronto.
Dianne told us about her family and the Jewish presence and social activism in the Spadina/Kensington neighbourhoods.
Helen wrapped it up with her experiences in the early stages of the women's rights movement centered in the Kensington area.
Thanks to Paul, Kathy and Floyd for keeping everyone safe and together on busy, crowded downtown streets.

Visit the Lost Rivers website at: www.lostrivers.ca
If you would like to receive advanced notice of future Lost Rivers events, please follow us on Eventbrite at:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/o/lost-rivers-29447554985

02/22/2026

This is one of our most viewed plaques located near Raith (northwest of Thunder Bay), and it is easy to see why.

The Height of Land watershed is a natural marvel. Water north of it flows all the way to Hudson Bay, while water south of it becomes part of the Great Lakes system.
The divide stretches about 2,250 kilometres across Ontario and has shaped everything from treaty boundaries to provincial borders.

As we celebrate 70 years of Ontario’s blue and gold heritage plaques, we are highlighting some of the stories that capture the most attention. This one is definitely a fan favourite.
and learn about The Arctic Watershed: https://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/plaques/arctic-watershed689

02/21/2026

📣 Hey Toronto 📣 Join the Ontario Salt Pollution Coalition on Tuesday, Feb 24th from 1PM to 5PM at 📍Patagonia Toronto to help us win Provincial action on salt pollution!

💧Learn how water is being impacted by winter salt usage
🚨 Help stop the harm by taking action
📝 Write your municipal leaders to get them involved
🏆 Pick up a free prize from to help curb your salt use!

RSVP on our events page to get a reminder. See you there! ❤️‍🔥💦

02/02/2026

Editor’s note: This is the second post in our theme for April 2025, The City Aquatic. For additional entries in the series, see here. By AN In cities across the world, rivers once central to …

02/01/2026

Saturdays PATHology walk took us out of Januarys bitter cold into Toronto's warm underground 'street' grid.
Ed Freeman and John Wilson ably led our capacity group through what appeared to some us to be a confusing maze.
Stories of lost creeks, Toronto history, geology, downtown construction and shared public spaces were presented and discussed.
We walked through a vast space made less impersonal by the addition of lovely public art and architecture.
Thanks to Lost Rivers Paul Overy and Floyd Ruskin for their walk support and added insights.

Follow Lost Rivers on Eventbrite for advanced notice of future events.
www.lostrivers.ca

12/16/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DQ1uwNLGx/

12/14/2025

Last Sundays Russell Creek-Part 4 walk was a stroll back in time through part of Toronto's downtown.

After acknowledging the First Nations inhabitants and how the land and water was used, we continued our journey along buried Russell Creek though Kensington and Chinatown.
Like most of our ' lost rivers' Russell continues to flow, out of sight but still interacts with the people that live and work along its route.

A wonderful narrative was presented by walk leaders Helen Mills and Adam Wynn who brought to life many of the engaging elements we saw along the walk.
Most were surprised that there had been a large reservoir that served this part of Toronto before waterborne diseases forced it draining and filling in for development.

Thanks to Lost Rivers Paul Overy and Floyd Ruskin for the walk support and added info.

If you like maps or just want to identify the lost waterways in your community, go to www.lostrivers.ca
If you would like advanced notice of future Lost Rivers events, please follow us on Eventbrite

Address

Toronto, ON

Website

http://www.lostrivers.ca/, http://www.torontogreen.ca/index.php/programs-mainmenu-121/water-mainmenu-71/lost-rivers.html

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