Toronto's Lost Rivers

I've lived my entire life (70 year)s living within 3 or 4 blocks either side of Yonge Street, south of the 401. In other words, I've walked along and through these parks, ravines and creeks hundreds if not thousands of times. I knew a bit about their history, but this video was eye-opening.

Underrated and very niche but I appreciate you!

beautiful and informative video!! I still think the city would have been so much more romantic if these rivers were allowed to be :) imagine little bridges, walkways, railings, ... everybody loves canals in Amsterdam and Venice, open/above ground rivers ponds and lakes do have their charm!! at cost of real-estate investment, so worth it

I knew there were underground rivers and streams in Toronto. I didn't know that these streams were also incorporated into the storm sewer system. Now I do! Thanks for the video Steve.

I like this presentation style, it reminds me of relaxing docs I watched as a kid

Well done 👍 One of the best things Torontonians can do to understand why the city is where it is and why it's formed as it is would be to look at a topographic map. There is so much water coursing through our landform that it becomes obvious why indigenous peoples settled here and Europeans did likewise. Water provided transportation, power, irrigation and food. No single video can cover all of Toronto's hidden waters but one which is in my neighbourhood is Wendigo Creek which would (if it were visible) bubble up in Malta Park (Dundas Street and St Johns Road) and define the curves of Laws Street and Clendenan Road before emptying into High Park's Grenadier Pond. Along the way it passes beneath the Annette Street School building (Annette and Clendenan). A few years ago the children of High Park Alternative and Annette Street Schools explored the history and geography of Wendigo Creek, which they renamed "Ghost River" because they knew it was there but it can't be seen. On the schoolyard fence you can still see mosaics the children created which depict frogs, fish, and aquatic plants which the Creek would have supported.

Awesome video! I love exploring the city’s tucked away creeks and valleys. Most are virtually untouched thanks to the lack of navigable trails, making them the most peaceful and quiet places in the city. Life continues to thrive in the creeks amongst the fallen branches and rocks, whose beds are almost all fossiliferous from the Ordovician period. It’s well worth the bushwhacking!

I like how people unaware of the underground creek at Bickford get confused by the weeping willows dripping on them, given that such trees only grow around wetlands

I live near Chatham Ontario now but my Toronto roots are deep. My dad was born on Keewatin Ave in the Village of Eglinton in 1911. They later moved around the corner onto Redpath. My grandfather had a pharmacy on Yonge St near Keewatin for years. They moved, during the depression, to the west end, to Quebec Ave near High Park. Thats where we would visit thembeqch summer. I later lived in Toronto while doing postgrad studies. I love the city and know many of the parks and neighbourhoods you visit in the video. I loved every minute of it and am looking forward to watching them all!

This video is terrific, coming from the perspective of one of the nerds who obsesses over going in the buried rivers.

What a hidden gem of a channel. Keep the content "flowing"!

its insane the amount of small creeks and rivers you can find in toronto and the surrounding areas. i love the city tbh .

Fabulous video. I truly appreciate your contribution to Toronto's history.

I don’t live in Toronto, but I really enjoy your videos. I wish you had a clone who lived in my city and made similar content.

I recently learned during my visit to Fort York that Toronto has many hidden rivers. Excellent video! Thanks a lot for sharing!

Very cool presentations. Your video about Hurricane Hazel popped up on my lists today. And now I have sat and watched several more and also subscribed.

In 1956 we moved out into the wilds of North York, in the Wilson-Bathurst area. There was a creek running through a large undeveloped area that was basically south of the main runway at Downsview air force base. South of the then four lane 401 to Baycrest Avenue and west of Rajah to what would become the Spadina Expressway and Yorkdale in 1964. The creek flowed into a culvert under Baycrest and emerged for a while west of Rajah. My friends and I spent a great deal of time playing in the "Field" and along the "Creek". Thanks to your video I now know it was actually called Mud Creek.

You make great videos

Thanks for this. I have no idea where any of this is but I'm happy you recorded it <3

It would have been nice if these river were maintained and protected, it would encouraged more greenspace and parks in the city