Rouge River (Ontario)

Geobox River
name = Rouge River
native_name = Katabokokonk
other_name =
other_name1 =


image_size =
image_caption =
country = Canada
country1 =
state = Ontario
state1 =
region =
region1 =
district =
district1 =
city = Toronto
city1 = Markham, Ontario
city2 = Richmond Hill, Ontario
city3 =
city4 =
city5 =
city6 =
city7 =
city8 =
city9 =
city10 =
length = 250
watershed =
discharge_location = Rouge Beach, Lake Ontario
discharge_average =
discharge_max =
discharge_min =
discharge1_location =
discharge1_average_imperial =
source_name = Oak Ridges Moraine
source_location =
source_district =
source_region = York Region
source_state = Ontario
source_country = Canada
source_lat_d =
source_lat_m =
source_lat_s =
source_lat_NS =
source_long_d =
source_long_m =
source_long_s =
source_long_EW =
source_elevation =
source_length =
mouth_name =
mouth_location =
mouth_district = Toronto
mouth_region =
mouth_state = Ontario
mouth_country = Canada
mouth_lat_d =
mouth_lat_m =
mouth_lat_s =
mouth_lat_NS =
mouth_long_d =
mouth_long_m =
mouth_long_s =
mouth_long_EW =
mouth_elevation =
tributary_left = Little Rouge River
tributary_left1 = Beaver Creek
tributary_right = Little Rouge Creek
tributary_right1 = Katabokokonk Creek
free_name =
free_value =


map_size =
map_caption =

The Rouge River is a two river system. Little Rouge and Rouge River are in the east and the northeast parts of Toronto and begin at the Oak Ridges Moraine near Richmond Hill. These rivers flow past:

*Markham, Ontario, northwest, central, to south, including a couple of conservation areas.
*Eastern edge of Scarborough
*Rouge Valley Park [http://www.trca.on.ca/parks_and_attractions/places_to_visit/rouge_park/]

At the southern end, the Rouge River system is the boundary between Toronto and southwestern Pickering. Rouge River empties into Lake Ontario.

Its original name in Iroquois was Katabokokonk.

The Rouge River is part of the Rouge Park is the largest urban park in North America. It is one of a few wilderness areas left in South-Central Ontario, and has been virtually untouched by development since the arrival of Europeans. While many exclusive homes and conclaves border this area on the southern tip, it is currently surrounded largely by agricultural land. It is even devoid of recreational development but sports a considerable network of walking or bicycle paths. Unlike other rivers in the Toronto area, is allowed to fill its entire flood plain on a regular basis rather than being forced through an artificial channel. However, parts of its watershed include the Toronto Zoo and the Beare Road Landfill.

In the former city of Scarborough, the Rouge was the "third rail" issue of municipal politics, and many minor candidates for mayor often ran on a platform to preserve it. However, since Scarborough was annexed into the city of Toronto, Toronto City Council has voted on occasion to allow development around the river.

Currently, there is a degree of abandonment in the area, of former farm lands, and historic houses. There also remains many historic houses which are still lived in, some even farmed. Research on Toronto's website listing its holdings of historic properties reveals over 20 historic buildings in the area, including Hillside PS, Scarborough's first schoolhouse, which sits across the street from a house built by the Pearse family in 1855.

Tributaries

* Little Rouge Creek - runs northeast via Cedar Grove, Locust Hill, Dickson Hill, Ringwood, Lemonville and Bloomington
* Katabokokonk Creek - a short creek runs in northeast Markham and bears the original name of the Rouge
* Beaver Creek - run via Brown's Corner, Buttonville, Richmond Hill

Parks

A list of parks along the Rouge:

* Bob Hunter Memorial Park
* Littles Road Park
* Morningview Ravine Park
* Woodlands Park
* Glen Rouge Park
* Rouge Valley Park
* Milne Park
* Apple Creek Park
* Cedar Valley Park
* Mount Joy Lake Park
* Springdale Park
* Monarch Park
* Ashton Meadows Park
* Artisan Park - Beaver Creek
* Beaver Greenway - Beaver Creek
* Bruce Creek"'
* Berczy Creek"'

Golf courses

* Parkview Golf Course
* Markham Green Golf Course
* Unionville Fairways Golf Course
* York Downs Golf and Country Club
* Angus Glen Golf Course
* Markham Golf Club
* Buttonville Fairways Golf Centre

ee also

*List of Ontario rivers
*10,000 Trees for the Rouge Valley

External links

* [http://www.rougepark.com/ Rouge Park website]