The Greenbelt protection has extended to 21 major urban river valleys and 7 coastal wetlands across the Greater Golden Horseshoe - including the Sixteen Mile Creek!
The addition of these waterways to the Greenbelt is an important recognition of the vital role the Greenbelt plays in protecting the hydrological features we rely on for clean drinking water, flood protection, and healthy ecosystems.
Sixteen Mile Creek is a river located in the Halton Region in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada. It is in the Great Lakes Basin and flows from the Niagara Escarpment through the towns of Milton and Oakville to Lake Ontario. Every 5 years Conservation Halton releases a report card to assess the health of the Sixteen Mile Creek watershed. Grades around urbanized areas typically decline because of reduced natural vegetation and hard surfaces, such as roads and roofs. Protecting the urban river valleys is very important for our communities health.
Top facts about the Sixteen Mile Creek:
Sixteen Mile Creek was previously known to the Mississauga Indians in their language as Ne-sauga y-onk or niizhozaagiwan ("having two outlets”) and to the French as Rivière de Gravois ("gravelly river”).
Like many creeks draining into Lake Ontario, Sixteen Mile Creek has cut a deep valley that is home to a broad range of wildlife, including whitetail deer, raccoons, foxes, opossum, and squirrels.
Sixteen Mile Creek is seated in the middle of one of the fastest growing regions of Canada. Just to the northeast, in Peel Regional Municipality, urban and suburban expansion have exploded over the last century, and expansion is ever-accelerating due to technological power and population growth.
Sixteen Mile Creek is a widely-accessible creek, with many trails and access points scattered throughout. The best of these are found in and around Lions Valley Park, between Upper Middle Road West and Dundas Street West.
Sixteen Mile Creek is so significant in its own right that in the 1950’s it was set aside with its own “Sixteen Mile Creek Conservation Authority,” before ultimately being brought into the fold of Conservation Halton.
Want to learn more?
Right now, we are working with community groups, municipalities and organizations across the Greenbelt to ensure the urban river valleys and the Greenbelt remain healthy for generations to come.
The Conservation Halton has produced extensive research about the Sixteen Mile Creek.
The Conservation Halton organizes many events to help you learn more about the watershed, or you could check-out our events page.
