What is a Watershed?
The video and graphic below help explain what a watershed is and the impacts of certain land uses.
What is a Watershed
Understanding a Watershed
Watershed Planning Process
An integrated watershed planning process is typically undertaken to assess the overall conditions or health of the watershed, and to identify measures to protect, restore, and enhance the health of the watershed.
A watershed plan provides comprehensive, science-based information on the current and potential future state of our natural systems, and this information is used to inform various management initiatives that ensure healthy and resilient watersheds over the long term.
The data, modelling, and evaluation included in a watershed plan help to develop a set of management actions that can be used by Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and partner municipalities to inform land use and infrastructure planning, climate adaptation, ecosystem management, and restoration planning processes.
Watershed plans are not intended to make specific land use and/or infrastructure planning decisions.
Rouge River Watershed and a New Watershed Plan
Geographically, the Rouge River watershed is centrally located in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), within the eastern portion of TRCA’s jurisdiction.
It spans the Regions of York and Durham, cities of Toronto, Markham, Pickering, and Richmond Hill, and the towns of Aurora and Whitchurch-Stouffville. It includes all the lands that drain to the Rouge River and its tributaries, including the Little Rouge River, starting in the hills of the Oak Ridges Moraine and flowing south to Lake Ontario.
Approximately 33,926 hectares in size and home to over 445,000 people, the Rouge River watershed provides many natural, human cultural heritage, and recreational benefits to the people who live, work, and play in the watershed.
The Rouge River watershed also contains Canada’s first national urban park, Rouge National Urban Park.
TRCA is embarking on a multi-year initiative to develop a new Rouge River Watershed Plan (RRWP) in collaboration with participating First Nations, municipal partners, and key stakeholders.
Currently, the development of the RRWP is in its initial stages, and TRCA is requesting participation from stakeholders, the public, and community members to provide input for the watershed plan.
Rouge River Watershed Plan Survey
Thank you for taking the time to complete this short survey for the new RRWP. Your responses will help us develop the vision statement for the watershed and better understand the key issues within the watershed, including climate and weather-related changes or impacts experienced or observed in the watershed.
The Rouge River Watershed Plan Fall 2025 Engagement survey is now closed.