Our theme for November has been “Repair”. This week we focus on efforts to repair the damage done to urban rivers and streams in the past. These projects restore natural habitat and help communities respond to the impacts of climate change.
Earlier this month a major milestone was achieved in the restoration of the Don River in Toronto. Decades ago, the lower part of the Don was put into a channel which forced it to make a 90-degree turn. The lower river has now been returned to a natural state and surrounding industrial lands will be replaced with new homes, parks and commercial areas. This video explains the exciting project:
Over the past century or so rivers and streams in many cities including Hamilton were “buried” by being forced into underground pipes. This award-winning interactive article from CBC describes “daylighting” projects that release waterways from their underground confines:
https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/features/2024/daylighting-rivers/