Don Mouth naturalization and Portlands Flood project.

Over the last few decades the Don River has become a go to place for people to exercise, get away from the concrete jungle and to have a good time with their time off.

The mouth of the Don River where it flows into lake Ontario is an industrial eyesore. It’s not just an eyesore but also has become a flooding issue when we get major storms. When the Don floods so does the Don Valley Parkway and Go transit tracks and surrounding areas. 

When it floods, it really floods!

With future development to the north and south of Lakeshore Blvd, a plan was developed to capture this water overflow and debris. Also, to naturalize the mouth of the Don River.

This is a very big undertaking! 

Currently water flows from the Don into Keating Strait, then into Lake Ontario. This is changing with a new naturalized 1km long river valley to the south that will empty into Lake Ontario. Keating Strait will remain as an overflow option for the Don River but the primary mouth of the Don will be the new naturalized 1km long river mouth with coastal wetlands and meadows to encourage a natural habitat.

Next to these meadows and wetlands will be 40 hectares of parkland and green space. This whole area is changing in a big way and it’s a win win for downtown Toronto. This will be the go to place for recreation and relaxation. Perfect place for canoeing, fishing and playing sports or riding a bike.

Changing the mouth of the Don River is just one part of this mammoth project. Capture tanks are being built to capture storm runoff and Cherry Street is physically being moved to align better with Cherry street north of the Lake Shore and they are building a new bridge to top it off.

There will be some development in this area but with 40 hectares of green space this will definitely balance out the area. 

This is a huge development costing $1.25 billion dollars coming from the 3 levels of government.

A big thanks to the people who belonged to “Bring back the Don”. Without them the Don would be still a neglected polluted river with no or little access for Torontonians to enjoy.