Humber River Watershed Plan Progress Update (April 25, 2025):
We Are Looking for Your Input!
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) has now completed the first three stages of the watershed planning process for the new Humber River Watershed Plan (HRWP):
- Stage 1: Preparation and Scoping
- Stage 2: Watershed Characterization
- Stage 3: Future Management Scenarios
During Stage 3, we assessed the impacts of a range of potential future land use and climate change scenarios, along with varying levels of watershed enhancements. This information helps us understand how future watershed conditions may change.
We are pleased to announce the release of the Future Management Scenarios Analysis Report, which presents the results of extensive watershed modelling and technical scenario analyses, along with a Factsheet outlining key findings.
Provide Your Input to Help Shape the Future
of the Humber River Watershed!
We are looking for your input on the management framework for the watershed plan, including the objectives, indicators, and priority actions needed to address the key watershed issues.
Here’s how to provide your feedback and learn more:
- Complete our online engagement survey and share your thoughts on what should be included in the management framework. The survey will be available until May 31, 2025.
- Email us at Humber@trca.ca.
- Explore the online interactive HRWP and map viewer on our Watershed Planning Hub.
- Visit the project webpage for more information, to subscribe for updates, and to view all the available materials and resources, including this Spring 2025 engagement presentation highlighting the key findings from scenario analysis and reviewing next steps.
Next Steps (2025-2026)
An Engagement Summary will be posted on the project webpage, once available, outlining engagement throughout the Future Management Scenarios Stage (including the results from the engagement survey).
As part of the final stage of the watershed planning process (Stage 4: Implementation Planning), we will develop a realistic management framework for the watershed plan. This will include identifying the priority actions needed to protect, enhance, and restore watershed health.
The management framework will be informed by the watershed characterization and scenario analysis results, as well as engagement input. We will also develop, and seek input on, the draft watershed plan.
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is working on a new watershed plan for the Humber River in collaboration with Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and our partner municipalities.
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Since the last watershed plan in 2008, the Humber River watershed has continued to experience impacts from urban development and climate change.
This new plan will use the most up-to-date scientific data, modelling, and analyses to understand the current conditions of the watershed and predict how they might change in the future based on potential land use and climate scenarios, as well as different levels of watershed enhancements.
It will also suggest ways to protect, enhance, and restore the health of the watershed and make it more resilient to changes in land use and climate.
The plan is intended to be in effect for 10 years from when it is finalized and approved.
Watershed plans are reviewed regularly for 10 years after approval so that new scientific approaches can be included, and to deal with new issues that may come up.
The development of the Humber River Watershed Plan is a joint effort between TRCA and the following:
TRCA is also working closely with First Nations and Indigenous communities, local stakeholders, residents, and the public to share information about the watershed plan and gather feedback.
Watershed Plan Timeline
Watershed planning is a multi-year, highly collaborative process. The proposed timeline for the preparation of the Humber River Watershed Plan is outlined below.
Stage 1: Preparation and Scoping 2022 – COMPLETED
PURPOSE:
- Initial scoping, review of existing data, final data collection, and preparation of preliminary mapping resources.
- Initiation of communications with First Nations and Indigenous communities, identification of Steering Committee, and development of an Engagement Strategy.
STATUS:
 |
Completed. |
Stage 2: Watershed Characterization 2022-2023 – COMPLETED
PURPOSE:
- Technical analyses identify the current conditions and trends of the watershed, including habitat quality and quantity, water quality, flooding and erosion issues, stormwater management infrastructure, restoration planning, climate trends, and cultural heritage.
- Based on this information, key issues in the Humber River watershed are outlined in the Characterization Report and Factsheet.
STATUS:
|
Completed. |
Stage 3: Future Management Scenarios 2024-2025 – COMPLETED
PURPOSE:
- Compare and examine potential future land use and climate change scenarios and different levels of watershed enhancements to understand how watershed conditions may change.
- Scenario analysis does not result in land use decisions but informs the management framework and priority actions, as well as decisions concerning future land use and infrastructure development.
- The key results and findings from scenario analysis are outlined in the Future Management Scenarios Analysis Report and Factsheet.
STATUS:
|
Completed. |
Stage 4: Implementation Planning 2025-2026 – IN PROGRESS
PURPOSE:
- Development of a practical management framework for long-term sustainability based on results from the Watershed Characterization and Future Management Scenarios stages and input from engagement.
- The management framework includes goals, objectives, indicators, and priority actions outlining how to protect, enhance, and restore watershed health.
- Monitoring and evaluation will help to track implementation progress and evaluate whether watershed conditions are improving.
- The implementation planning stage will also involve the development of the draft watershed plan, and engagement to obtain input from First Nations and Indigenous communities, as well as from watershed stakeholders, residents, and the public.
- Implementation of the plan will occur following adoption/endorsement of the final plan by our municipal partners and TRCA’s Board of Directors.
STATUS:
 |
In progress. |
Learn More
Discover more about watersheds and watershed management by visiting TRCA’s Watershed Management webpage.
You can explore the ecological and cultural significance of the Humber River by visiting our Humber River webpage.
For an interactive and engaging experience, please visit TRCA’s Watershed Planning Hub. This digital tool offers an in-depth look at current watershed plans, including the Humber River Watershed Plan, through maps, images, and narrative text.
Resources
CURRENT WATERSHED PLAN
Launch of the New HRWP:
Characterization Stage:
- Watershed Characterization Report: Findings from watershed monitoring and technical analyses, and an overview of the current watershed conditions and trends since the last watershed plan in 2008.
- Characterization Factsheet: Key messages from watershed characterization
- Engagement Summary 1: Engagement activities from May 2022 to October 2023, including the Fall 2022 initial engagement activities and survey results.
Future Management Scenarios Stage:
- Future Management Scenarios Analysis Report: Findings from extensive watershed modelling and technical scenario analyses. This report examines the impacts of a range of potential future land use and climate change scenarios, along with varying levels of watershed enhancements, to help us understand how future watershed conditions may change.
- Future Management Scenarios Factsheet: Key messages from scenario analysis.
- Engagement Summary 2: Coming soon. Summary of engagement activities throughout the future management scenarios stage (including the Spring 2025 survey results).
- Spring 2025 Engagement Presentation
PREVIOUS WATERSHED PLAN 2008
Contact Us
If you have any questions or information about the Humber River Watershed Plan, please email us at humber@trca.ca.
