So That's Where It Went

This is a park where a river used to be.

Actually I should say, still is.  It's just buried.

With the record rainfall last week and tremendous flooding, interesting to understand our watershed.

So this is a map of where Taddle Creek used to....I mean still....runs.

There are many, many rivers that have been buried in Toronto over the years.

The part that was buried first was the southern most part, from Church St. to the Don River (lower right part of the blue line).

Which was a key section in old Toronto and in the spring the place was a mess.  Hence the nickname Muddy York (Toronto was called York until 1834).

This also became the start of Toronto's storm water and sewer system.  Because along with the filth came disease. The contaminated water led to several cholera epidemics.

As publisher of The Canadian Freeman, Francis Collins, wrote in the 1830's, "All the filth of the town – dead horses, dogs, cats, manure – drops down into the water, which is used by almost all the inhabitants....."

Unfortunately, he himself died of cholera in 1834.

I say stormwater and sewer system, because in order to save money, they built the two side by each, with only a weir separating them.

So after a big rainfall, like say - last week - raw sewage gets into the stormwater system and heads straight for the lake.

Just like the 1830's!

This sculpture is called The Vessel, and is made out of four kilometres of stainless steel rods.

Representing the length of Taddle Creek.

Kind of cool; a water carrying vessel representing a water carrying creek.

And in areas, you can still hear old Taddle Creek gurgling under some of the sewer grates.

Kinda cool; a gurgling old creek blogged about by a gurgling old guy.