Highland Creek Watershed

The City of Toronto's efforts to place water quality improvement stormwater ponds in the upper reaches of the Highland's Centennial Creek tributary are positive first steps toward the long-term revitalization of this entire ecosystem.

The Highland is an "urban creek" and it has been called "the orphan" among Toronto's watersheds. Due to intense pressures from urbanization, Highland Creek's watercourses are no longer operating as a healthy, natural ecosystem. At 85 per cent urbanized, it's the most developed watershed in the Toronto and Region Conservation's jurisdiction.

Image of Highland Creek

Despite all this degradation, there is much left to be valued in the Highland Creek watershed. The lower reaches of the creek's eastern branch (the Malvern branch), its western branch (Bendale branch) and the main branch flow through lush corridors. The creek's estuary (mouth) is, by urban standards, relatively natural and many species of lake fish use the mouth of Highland Creek at various times during their life cycle. The City of Toronto's efforts to place water quality improvement stormwater ponds in the upper reaches of the Highland's Centennial Creek tributary are positive first steps toward the long-term revitalization of this entire ecosystem.

Highland creek Watershed Map

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