how deep is the don river toronto
The river is 38-km long and ends at Keating Channel, where it flows into Toronto Bay and Lake Ontario. It ends in Toronto, Canada. The Don is also joined at the confluence by a third major branch, Taylor-Massey Creek. There are nine distinct layers visible dating back 120,000 years. Governor Simcoe's journey up the Don by canoe. In 1954, Hurricane Hazel struck the Toronto area. Larger white suckers should not be eaten at all by women of childbearing age and children. This $2.5 billion project aims to improve water quality in the Lower Don River, Taylor-Massey Creek, and Toronto’s Inner Harbour in Lake Ontario. One of the first was at Todmorden Mills. The Don Valley is notable because of its deep wide valley in the lower reaches. After the founding of York in 1793, several mills were constructed along the lower Don. Copyright © 2019, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) Terms of Use | Privacy Policy The Don River and its deep valley were formed about 12,000 years ago at the end of the Wisconsinan Glaciation. For the next 130 kilometres (81 mi) below the Tsimlyansk Dam, the sufficient depth of the Don is maintained by the sequence of three dam-and-ship-lock complexes: the Nikolayevsky Ship Lock (Николаевский гидроузел), Konstantinovsk Ship Lock (Константиновский гидроузел), and the best known of the three, the Kochetovsky Ship Lock (Кочетовский гидроузел). During the travel by train from Deep River to Toronto passengers can relax. If you should inadvertently fall into the Don, it would be wise to wash thoroughly with anti-bacterial soap as soon as possible. The authority had limited powers, and was funded by local municipalities which had to pay for specific land purchases. The Don is one of more than sixty rivers and streams flowing south from the Oak Ridges Moraine. [9], Efforts to restore the Don gathered steam in 1989 with a public forum at the Ontario Science Centre which was attended by about 500 people. In the 1880s, the lower part of the Don south of the former Winchester Street bridge was straightened (east of the original mouth) and placed in a channel to create additional harbour space and industrial dock space for boats. I've lived in Toronto for over 40 years and the constant flooding we get around the lower Don River after a big thunderstorm is a relatively recent phenomenon. Yes, the driving distance between Toronto to Deep River is 422 km. For more information, please visit the website. Grade: 1-3. Does the river need to be dredged? The channel north of Lake Shore Blvd. Each year PortsToronto removes between 400-900 metric tons of debris from Toronto’s harbor, including in the Don River. It has been a vital artery in Russian history since the days of Peter I the Great, who initiated a hydrographic survey of its course. The Don River is one of two rivers bounding the original settled area of Toronto along the shore of Lake Ontario, the other being the Humber River to the west. CanoeingThere is no official law prohibiting it (no permits are issued), but it is not recommended. The entire watershed, or drainage basin, of the Don River is 360 square kilometres. Parts of the river are flat, some parts steady grade 1’s and other sections grade 2-3+.It’s a 70 mile stretch that has something to offer whatever you fancy. Confirm. City of Toronto. [24][25] Together with a series accessible new entry points, the Master Plan calls for the reclamation of former green spaces throughout the valley, including the former snow dump site north of the Bloor Viaduct. [6] The name Don River was given by Lt. Gov. As the ice front retreated in southern Ontario, se… This vision has been incorporated into city's Waterfront revitalization plans. Ontario Research Foundation. This impacted the Don with increased pollution, heavy flooding, and turbid sediment laden waters. August 1991. Your trip begins in Deep River, Canada. If you want to get cheap train tickets from Toronto to Deep River we recommend that you book in advance as the best Greyhound Canada tickets sell out fast.The cheapest ticket is usually $52.45 CAD and the most expensive one to go to Deep River is approximately $69.6 CAD. Known as The Don Improvement Project, the straightened river was also supposed to divert the polluted waters into the Ashbridges Bay marsh. [29] Peak flows occur in late February and late September which corresponds to seasonal variation in the Toronto region. The river is 38-km long and ends at Keating Channel, where it flows into Toronto Bay and Lake Ontario. In 2007, the Toronto Waterfront Development Corporation (now WaterfrontToronto) held a design competition that looked at four different configurations for the mouth of the Don. This publication reaches the same conclusion for white suckers of 35-45 cm. For example, a 1950 plan to build a large conservation area on the East Don River at Lawrence Avenue never came to fruition over the high cost of development. In 1998 a plan to revive Toronto's waterfront was initiated. Imagine the 1900s, with its engineered, channelized watercourse and its banks lined with polluting industries. In 1957, the DVCA, along with other Toronto-area conservation authorities, was reformed into the Metro Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and given a mandate to construct flood control features as well as acquire property in the Don and other valleys to prevent a future re-occurrence of the disaster. The Don is formed from two rivers, the East and West Branches, that meet about 7 km north of Lake Ontario while flowing southward into the lake. The Don is also joined at the confluence by a third major branch, Taylor-Massey Creek. [26] This is due to its glacial origins. Sugar Loaf Hill at Bloor Street was a conical hill removed during the construction of the Prince Edward Viaduct (commonly referred to as the Bloor Viaduct). A second branch of the eastern Don, known as German Mills Creek, parallels the main eastern branch and joins it at Steeles Avenue, the northern boundary of Toronto. Cancel. Nick Eyles. [28], Due to the urbanized nature of the watershed, the Don River experiences low base flows interspersed with high volume floods. Downstream from the forks, the river flows through a wooded area known as Crothers' Woods which is designated as an Environmentally Sensitive Area due to the high quality beech-maple forest that grows on the ravine slopes. It ends in Toronto, Canada. The Don Valley is notable because of its deep wide valley in the lower reaches. The project was a large civil engineering project. At the intersection of Lawrence and the Parkway, the remains of the old village of Milneford Mills were removed. [13], In 1946, a plan by the Shirriff company to demolish pioneer dwellings in the area of Todmorden Mills led outraged citizens to form the Don Valley Conservation Association volunteer organization. [9] Polluted effluent from these factories and the growing city nearby was turning the Don and its marshy mouth into a polluted hazard. In 1879, the Don Valley Brick Works opened. Petroleum storage facilities, poultry and pork processing plants were constructed along the banks of the Don. In the Don Valley, the old shoreline is evident just north of Eglinton Avenue. These fish are pollution-tolerant and also tolerant of the unnaturally high water temperatures in the Don. Toronto City Council has endorsed a plan for city staff to pursue opportunities for federal and/or provincial funding to accelerate the Don River and Central Waterfront (DRCW) project so that it is completed in 2030 rather than 2038.. It crosses Yonge Street as it flows through Hoggs Hollow, past York University's Glendon ("valley of the Don") campus, and then flows on to Leaside, Flemingdon Park, and Thorncliffe Park before joining the eastern half. [8] Two hills within the valley were leveled and the soil used for grading the highway. Humans first arrived in the Don River area approximately 12,500 years BP, most likely as nomadic hunters. This caused Lake Iroquois to drain towards the south. The winning bid was made by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates. The sediment collects in the Keating Channel just past the mouth of the river. A "nature-inspired" public art program is set to launch in 2017, aiming to strengthen the cultural presence of the Don Valley, which—according to the Master Plan—already serves as a de facto backyard to some 250,000 Torontonians. The blistering heat of New Delhi, India, is forgotten in the ‘winter in disguise’ summer of Toronto (11 degrees C ). Mouth of the Don RiverThe Don empties unceremoniously into the Keating Channel in Toronto's Portlands, just south of Lake Shore Boulevard and the Don Roadway. It was closed off in 1964 after the construction of the Don Valley Parkway, whereby it was considered obsolete. Litter is removed from the water weekly and shipped to a sorting facility. Chris Glaisek, vice-president of planning and design at Waterfront Toronto, says while the costs of the renaturalization are daunting, putting the flood-proofing infrastructure in the Lower Don River will serve multiple purposes. Kevin Van Paassen/The Globe and Mail Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division, "Civilization.ca. Others may safely eat these fish for up to eight meals per month. Rental Cars See rental cars from $19/day. “The challenge with the flood protection is that the cost is pretty much the same wherever you put it. [22], Since the cessation of industrial pollution and the cleanup efforts by various groups, the river has regenerated to the point where a number of species of fish have returned to the river, and there is a limited sports fishery.[22]. [28] [1] While there is little archaeological evidence in the Don valley itself, regional finds in the Great Lakes St. Lawrence area have revealed that permanent settlements started to occur about 6000 BP. [24] Naturalized ecological conditions throughout the valley would offer improved flood protection. Their conclusion, published in the "2001 - 2002 Guide To Eating Ontario Sport Fish", is that these fish are safe to eat for up to four meals per month by women of childbearing age and children up to 15 years old. Metrolinx sees the easier transfer as an improvement over the previous Relief Line South proposal, which needed very deep tunnels—38 metres below ground—to reach under the Don, which, it says, added four-and-a-half minutes of escalator time to each transfer. The Don is formed from two rivers, the East and West Branches, that meet about 7 kilometres (4 mi) north of Lake Ontario while flowing southward into the lake. The western section of Taylor-Massey Creek and the southern portion of the western branch are surrounded by parkland (see also: Toronto ravine system). Addressing the issues and challenges of the Don River follow three principles – Protect what is healthy, regenerate what is degraded, and take responsibility for the Don. A popular river in Yorkshire, the River Don has much to offer recreational paddlers and white water lovers. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is responsible for managing the river and its surrounding watershed. Ontario Department of Mines and Northern Affairs. Chapman, L.J., Putnam, D.F. [21] However, as of 2016, the planned changes have been stalled by lack of funding. Kayakers paddle down the the lower Don River as traffic on the Don Valley Parkway speeds by in Toronto, Ont. Bringing Back the Don. Don Watershed Regeneration. The project was also coupled with a plan to handle a major flood modeled on the expected output from a Hurricane Hazel size storm. Don River Watershed Trail, Toronto: See 2 reviews, articles, and photos of Don River Watershed Trail, ranked No.430 on Tripadvisor among 583 attractions in Toronto. Is there a blockage somewhere? The Don’s problems go beyond the remnants of its industrial past. Other reason for choosing train to travel from Deep River to Toronto is the price, because the price of the train ticket is only $52.45 CAD. Swimming in the DonIt is not advisable to swim in the Don. At the Bloor Street Viaduct, the valley is about 400 m wide while the river is only about 15 m wide. The Association's opposition was successful in causing Shirriff to abandon the project in 1947. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/ontario/lower-don-trails Toronto Rocks. [dubious – discuss] The Don River is now small in comparison to the deep and wide valley that resulted from its glacial origin. As the climate warmed the glaciers began to melt. [11] Over 20 sites in the valley and adjacent ravines were used as landfills for garbage and industrial refuse. 1787 saw the problematic “Toronto Purchase.” Believing the purchase to be a rental of the area, and not the release of their rights to the land, the Mississaugas surrendered most of the land that would become York, and then Toronto, to the British. These fish are native to the Pacific Ocean, but they have been stocked in Lake Ontario for sport fishing. It was at one time home of a Maple sugar shack and tapline, which was visited yearly by students from across East York. 28 Other Attractions within 5 miles. Maximum flows, based on a Hurricane Hazel level flood have been estimated at nearly 1700 m3/s. [30] On August 19, 2005, an unusually strong summer storm caused short term flooding in the Don Valley. Right now, in an extreme weather event, floodwaters from the Don River would overwhelm … 910 Restaurants within 5 miles. Task Force to Bring Back the Don. Eating fish from the Don RiverIt may surprise you to know that the fish in the Don can be safely eaten in limited quantities. Charles Sauriol was a historic protector of the Don. Getting there. In addition, the flood waters carry a large amount of sediment washed into the river from surrounding tablelands. The Don is one of the major watercourses draining Toronto (along with the Humber, and Rouge Rivers) that have headwaters in the Oak Ridges Moraine. If you are planning a road trip, you might also want to calculate the total driving time from Deep River, Canada to Toronto, Canada so you can see when you'll arrive at your destination. [2] The most significant recorded find is known as the Withrow Site. A New Mouth of the Don River, a new Community for Toronto The Port Lands Flood Projection Project is about taking action to protect Toronto’s southeastern downtown area. At the river mouth, PortsToronto manages a boom system that captures litter before it enters the lake. [18] Other groups also became active including Friends of the Don East. The total driving time is 4 hours, 58 minutes. To control flooding from the Don River, Waterfront Toronto's Port Lands Flood Protection Project will extend the river south past the Keating Channel (roughly parallel to the west side of the Don Roadway), and then west (roughly parallel to the south side of Commissioners Street) to a new mouth at Toronto Harbour. The entire watershed, or drainage basin, of the Don River is 360 square kilometres. 1972. At the Bloor Street Viaduct, the valley is about 400 m wide while the river is only about 15 m wide. The western branch starts near Maple, Ontario, flowing south-east through the suburban industrial belt of Concord (Vaughan), and the G. Ross Lord Reservoir. The TRCA which is responsible for the dredging estimates that the amount of sediment dredged is 35,000 m3/year weighing nearly 60,000 tonnes (59,000 long tons; 66,000 short tons).[31]. ", "Community: Don Watershed Regeneration Council", "Don Mouth Environmental Assessment, Terms of Reference", "Urban fishing enthusiasts feel the lure of the Don River", "Lower Don Trail : Access, Environment + Art Master Plan", "Archived Hydrometric Data for Station 02HC024 (Todmorden Mills). Map 2226:Physiography of the South Central Portion of Southern Ontario. The east branch of the Don, also called the Little Don River,[32] rises at the south edge of the Oak Ridges Moraine just to the west of Yonge Street, flowing south-eastward through ravine forests in Richmond Hill, Thornhill, east of Willowdale and Don Mills. It is a clear azure-sky day and we are out on our first outing of the season, something we had missed on our previous visits, the Lower Don River Valley park.. Others should restrict their intake of these larger fish to four meals per month. In more recent years the retreat of the industrial plants and rail infrastructure has freed up room which is now being turned into bicycling trails, which now extend from the shore of Lake Ontario northward in several directions to provide some 30 km of off-road paved trails. [16] The Bayview Extension was built south into the valley along the west bank of the valley. This proved unsuccessful so the mouth was turned 90 degrees west where it empties into the inner harbour. During that glaciation which lasted for 35,000 years, all of Ontario was covered in ice. The Don Valley Brick Works was an old brick making factory with a quarry where they extracted shale. At the rear wall, local geologists discovered a record of the past three glaciations. The original cost was $70,864.07. [23] Another aim for the park is restoration of land and the upper sections of the Don River. [23] The project aims to revitalize the ravine space through a series of projects that will advance the priorities set out in the City of Toronto's Lower Don Trail Master Plan, prepared by DTAH. $1,529,397 Avg List Refine your Don River, Toronto real estate search by price, bedroom, or type (house, townhouse, or condo). Midland Toronto Rapid Transit 50 min. The Don River watershed is one of the great natural resources in the Metropolitan Toronto area. Peak flow rates for that event were measured at 55.3 m3/s. Scarborough Centre Toronto Rapid Transit 52 min. You're signed out. During the early part of the 20th century the river and the valley continued to be neglected. This meant that the MTRCA had a veto on any developments that were not flood-proofed. The reserve occupies the valley south to the forks of the Don. By Mark Brosens. This area is mostly undeveloped parkland. The wood is recycled into animal bedding and garden mulch and the garbage is sorted into recyclables and non … How long is the drive from Deep River, Canada to Toronto, Canada? The Don River and its deep valley were formed about 12,000 years ago at the end of the Wisconsinan Glaciation. At the same time, interest in conservation led to the formation of conservation authorities across Ontario for watershed management. from Pottery Road. The incinerator operated for 52 years, burning about 50,000 tonnes of rubbish annually. In the 1700s, Mississaugas moved into the region, seeing the Haudenosaunee withdraw south of Lake Ontario. Large tracts of industrial land adjacent to the river were added to the regulatory floodplain. [33], Location of the mouth of the Don River in Toronto, Wonscotonach Parklands (Don River Valley Park). As a result of the City's COVID-19 response, some in-person services have been suspended in City buildings and divisional phone line hours may be different from what is indicated. The Task Force to bring Back the Don has advocated for many years to restore a naturalized river mouth and wetland system on vacant lands under the "sweep" of the ramps connecting the Gardiner Expressway with the Don Valley Parkway. [17] The result was the formation of the Task Force to Bring Back the Don, a citizen's advisory body to Toronto City Council. [23] The park will have three zones, an urban zone from West Don Lands to Riverdale Park, a park zone from Riverdale north to Bloor and finally a natural zone for the remaining section to Todmorden Village. Since high flow rates occur during storm events, the resulting floods tend to scour the bottom of the river which reduces fish habitat. This virtually unused shipping channel must be dredged regularly and at great expense to keep it open and to minimize the risk of flooding. Boats may still enter the Keating Channel by going underneath a lift bridge at Cherry Street. However, a great deal of restoration work remains to be done before these fish will have much chance of spawning successfully. The Association held educational events to educate the public about the Don Valley, including special trains through the valley, and a recreation of Lt. [10] Tumper's Hill, near Don Mills Road, was flattened in the 1960s during the construction of the Don Valley Parkway. South of Pottery Road it enters a more degraded section and ends up in a straightened section that includes cement and steel dock wall, a remnant from an earlier industrial era. The total driving distance from Deep River, Canada to Toronto, Canada is 298 miles or 480 kilometers. [24] This new park will be under the management of the Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division. Authorities were established to manage watersheds, and the Don Valley Conservation Authority was established in 1947. After construction of the new river valley, water would flow into the Keating Channel from the Don River only during high water on the Don. Why is nobody on top of this? [12] In 1917, the Don Destructor was built beside the river, just north of Dundas Street East. June 26, 2011. [20] The environmental assessment was completed in 2008 and construction was scheduled to begin in 2010. [27] Today the source of the Don River is the Oak Ridges Moraine, another legacy of the Wisconsin glaciation. Why is this? This short extension of the harbour is known as the Keating Channel. In 1995, the MTRCA created the Don Watershed Regeneration Council to coordinate restoration efforts throughout the watershed. Don River, one of the great rivers of the European portion of Russia. The Don River is a watercourse in southern Ontario, that empties into Lake Ontario, at Toronto Bay.Its mouth was just east of the street grid of the town of York, Upper Canada, the municipality that evolved into Toronto, Ontario.Of the various watercourses that drained Toronto, the Don, the Humber River, and the Rouge River have headwaters in the Oak Ridges Moraine. The average base flow for the Don River is about 4 m3/s. South of Lawrence Avenue the river passes through the Charles Sauriol Conservation Reserve. The railways and the river were re-routed, Don Mills Road was improved and the Eglinton Avenue and Lawrence Avenue concession roads were extended across the valley.