Conservation Halton’s watershed is one of the most beautiful and diverse places in Ontario.  The watershed includes the world-renowned Niagara Escarpment, Carolinian forests, Lake Ontario shoreline, creeks, valleys and rich wetlands.  The abundant flora and fauna of these natural landscapes co-exists with Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills, Flamborough and other communities in the watershed.  From archaeological sites and a rare glacial lake to the ancient cedars that cling to escarpment cliffs, the protected conservation lands in the watershed are a significant natural heritage that needs to be protected for future generations to enjoy.

Watershed Facts

• Conservation Halton’s watershed is comprised of 1000 square kilometers of land drained by seventeen creeks that flow into Lake Ontario.
• A major section of the world renowned Niagara Escarpment is situated in our watershed.
• More than 25% of Halton’s watershed is covered by forest, which is very impressive for a Golden Horseshoe location.
• Our watershed is rich in cultural and archaeological resources.  The Crawford Lake site, with its reconstructed Iroquoian Village is the nucleus of a 25 year study that includes more than 100 nearby native settlements.
• It was in our watershed that Ontario’s oldest growth forest was discovered at the Kelso Conservation Area.  Some of these ancient cedars clinging to the cliff edges are more than 1000 years old.
• Canada’s oldest and most well known hiking trail, The Bruce Trail, passes through our watershed beginning at the Royal Botanical Gardens near Dundas and exiting the Halton Region just east of Acton.  The 75 km stretch of the trail winds through charming communities and features sparkling waterfalls, pristine lakes and limestone cliffs.Our watershed includes remnants of the Carolinian Forest Zone, the richest vegetation zone in Canada.  This zone includes 50% of Ontario’s rare, threatened and endangered species of plants and animals.
• Conservation Halton’s watershed has 36 km. of Lake Ontario shoreline includes the Waterfront Trail with links to 35 public parks.  This area also includes several very successful natural regeneration projects like Cootes Paradise and Hamilton Harbour.
• More than 5500 hectares of conservation lands protect areas such as Hilton Falls, Crawford Lake, Rattlesnake Point, Bronte Creek Provincial Park and the Royal Botanical Gardens.
• Our watershed has twelve wetlands that are considered provincially significant including the Hayesland, Beverly and Badenoch-Moffat Swamps.
• The Niagara Escarpment is a vital watershed corridor that supports a wide diversity of flora and fauna.
• Watershed residents have easy and close access to more than 4000 hectares of conservation lands for recreation, education and enjoyment.
• The watershed has a population of 450,000 people in 7 local municipalities and 2 regional municipalities.

Click here to view a map of Conservation Halton's Watershed!