Why It Matters and How You Can Help

Nestled within the bustling landscape of the Greater Toronto Area, the Humber River Watershed is an ecosystem that supports diverse wildlife, provides recreational spaces, and serves as a critical part of our region’s environmental health.

But like many natural systems in urbanized regions, the Humber River faces increasing pressures from pollution and habitat loss, to the growing effects of climate change. Fortunately, there are ongoing efforts to protect and restore this precious resource. And there’s a role for all of us to play.

What Is the Humber River Watershed?

A watershed is an area of land where all rainfall and snowmelt drains into a common water body, in this case, the Humber River, which flows south from the Oak Ridges Moraine and Niagara Escarpment to Lake Ontario.

The Humber River Watershed is vast, covering approximately 903 square kilometres and spanning over 1,800 km of rivers and streams, making it one of the largest in the Toronto region. This includes rural farmland, protected forests, and heavily urbanized areas, all of which affect the watershed's health.

In 1999, the Humber River was designated a Canadian Heritage River, recognizing its unique ecological, historical, and cultural value, including its deep connections to Indigenous communities, as a vital transportation route known as the Toronto Carrying Place Trail.

A Hub of Biodiversity and Cultural Heritage

This watershed supports rich biodiversity. Over 600 species of plants and animals call it home, including turtles, fish, migratory birds, and pollinators that rely on healthy wetlands and riverbanks. It is home to an incredible 198 animal species, 343 vegetation communities, and 71 known fish species, including the Redside Dace fish and Rapids Clubtail dragonfly.

The area also contains sensitive and significant natural habitats like valleylands, forests, and wetlands, and over 1,800 km of rivers and streams. These areas serve as critical corridors for wildlife and provide ecosystem services, such as flood regulation, carbon storage, and air purification.

Historically, the Humber River was a major travel and trade route for Indigenous peoples and later settlers. Today, it still offers opportunities for learning, recreation, and community connection through its vast trail systems and conservation areas.

*Source: TRCA, 2023. Humber River watershed Characterization Report.*

Challenges the Watershed Faces

Despite its ecological and cultural importance, the Humber River Watershed is facing serious challenges:

Urban Development

Urbanization continues to transform large portions of the watershed. As forests and open fields are replaced by roads, rooftops, and other hard surfaces, more runoff flows directly into waterways instead of soaking into the ground. This leads to:

Increased risks of natural hazards like erosion and flooding
Increased contaminants like oil, litter, and chemicals are washing into rivers and lakes
Decreased habitat quality of fish and other biodiversity

Pollution and Litter

Water quality across the watershed is highly variable, with poorer water quality in the lower watershed. One major problem is floatable litter; plastics, bottles, wrappers, and other debris that travel from storm drains into the river. Litter not only harms aquatic life but also clogs infrastructure and degrades the recreational value of the river.

Climate Change

The watershed is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including:

More intense rainfall leading to increased floods
Higher temperatures and drought lead to stressed natural systems
Changes in habitat conditions are impacting biodiversity and water quality

Preparing the watershed to withstand climate-related stress is a growing priority, with a focus on nature-based solutions including habitat restoration, various green infrastructure, and climate-resilient urban design.

Conservation in Action

Humber River Watershed Plan

To tackle these challenges, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)has developed a collaborative and comprehensive Humber River Watershed Plan, with a focus on taking an integrated approach to managing natural hazard risks, conserving ecosystems and biodiversity, improving water quality, and adapting to climate change.

Toronto Inner Harbour Floatables Strategy

The Toronto Inner Harbour Floatables Strategy (Floatables Strategy) is a collaboration between the University of Toronto Trash Team, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), PortsToronto, City of Toronto, Swim Drink Fish, Waterfront Business Improvement Area, Harbourfront Centre, and Waterfront Toronto. The Strategy aims to support a pollution-free harbour, supporting aquatic life and recreation through a multi-pronged approach that includes prevention, ongoing monitoring, active cleanup efforts, public outreach, education, and policy advocacy.

A Greener Future’s Cleanup Efforts

A Greener Future organizes community-led cleanups around key parts of the watershed, including waterfront areas like Sunnyside Beach. These events not only remove harmful waste but also raise awareness about pollution prevention and empower local community members to take stewardship of their environment.

Join a Cleanup This Summer!

You can be part of the solution. Volunteer at one of Greener Future’s Love Your Lakes cleanup events throughout the summer. These volunteer-driven cleanups take place in parks and beaches along Lake Ontario, where we work to remove litter to protect local waterways. But it’s more than just a cleanup; we carefully count, sort, and record every piece of litter collected. This data is compiled into an open-source database that helps researchers and policymakers track pollution trends, identify the most problematic items, and inform environmental advocacy. Your participation directly supports long-term conservation efforts for the Great Lakes and nearby watersheds, like the Humber River.

Each month, we host a special cleanup event, in support of the Floatables Project Strategy. These cleanups are family-friendly, impactful, and a great way to connect with nature and your community.

Why It Matters

Healthy watersheds mean clean water, more diverse ecosystems, and safer communities. The Humber River Watershed is a precious natural asset, but it needs ongoing care and action from all of us.

Whether you join a cleanup, reduce your stormwater impact, or help educate others, your efforts count. Let’s protect our local waterways, together.

Protecting the Humber River Watershed