Don River's Comeback: Fish Return After 50 Years

More than fifty years after environmentalists declared Toronto's Don River officially dead, the waterway is experiencing a significant revival. A 2025 survey by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) documented over twenty fish species in the restored Don River mouth and adjacent wetlands. The reappearance of Atlantic salmon, last seen in the area in 2012, and the first sighting of an emerald bowfin upstream of Lake Shore Boulevard are particularly noteworthy findings.

The Don River's decline stemmed from extensive industrial development throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, leading to the dumping of industrial waste and untreated sewage. Contamination reached such severe levels that parts of the river sometimes caught fire. In 1969, a symbolic funeral march brought public attention to the river's degraded state, highlighting the urgent need for restoration.

Years of dedicated work by volunteers, government organizations, and environmental groups, including Waterfront Toronto's naturalization project at the river mouth, have paid off. These efforts created wetlands, restored natural riverbeds, enhanced wildlife habitats, and improved flood protection. Ongoing infrastructure projects by the City of Toronto also aim to prevent untreated water from entering the river during heavy rainfall.

Despite persistent urban pollution, the Don River's recovery, evidenced by the return of diverse fish species, demonstrates that damaged urban ecosystems can regenerate. This success story underscores a shift in perspective, recognizing urban rivers not just as conduits for waste but as vital parts of ecosystems that support biodiversity and enhance urban resilience.