Research Guide to the Humber River (Ontario)
Getting Started
The Humber River watershed is a defining geographic feature of the west and north part of Toronto, and includes some of the oldest native peoples and European settlements in the region. In 1954 it overflowed its banks under the onslaught of Hurricane Hazel, and the resulting loss of life and extensive property damage led to the formation of the Metropolitan Toronto & Region Conservation Authority (now Toronto & Region Conservation Authority), and the establishment of flood plain guidelines that continue to govern development along Toronto's rivers. The still navigable Humber is popular for canoeing and fishing, and there are miles of hiking and bike trails running beside it.
Find research materials on the Humber in the Toronto Collection in the Humanities & Social Science Department at the Toronto Reference Library and the Society & Recreation and Canadiana Departments at North York Central Library. Some titles may also be available at other library branches.
Humber River Pedestrian Bridge Creative Commons 2.0: veggiefrog
Searching the Library Website
Sugggested Keywords
- Humber River
- Humber River Valley
- Humber River Watershed
- Humber River Bridges
- Humber Valley
- Hurricane Hazel
Use the column at the left on the Library search page to focus and limit your search by type of material, date, library branch or subject.
Other terms related to river valley issues:
- Pollution
- Rivers
- Streams
- Conservation
- Watersheds
- Watershed management
- Wetlands
- Urban ecology
Suggested Titles
Walking into wilderness : the Toronto CarryingPlace and Nine Mile Portage
Humber River: the carrying place
Crossing the Humber : The Humber River heritage bridge inventory
Listen to your river : a report card on the health of the Humber River watershed
The Humber : tales of a Canadian heritage river
Toronto wet weather flow management master plan : study area 3 – Humber River : final report
Pesticide concentrations in the Don and Humber River watersheds (1998-2000)
Legacy : a strategy for a healthy Humber
The Humber River/High Park/western beaches civic design study : final report
The merchant-millers of the Humber Valley : a study of the early economy of Canada
Humber River watershed plan : pathways to a healthy Humber
Hurricane Hazel : Canada's storm of the century
Flood data : Humber River, October 15-16, 1954
Hurricane Hazel damage along the Humber River, 1954 Toronto Reference Library
Suggested Articles
You can find magazine and newspaper articles on the Humber by searching the library’s electronic databases. Try Academic Onefile, Canadian Newsstand Major Dailies, Canadian Newsstand Torstar, Canadian Business and Current Affairs (CBCA), Canadian Periodicals Index (CPIQ), General Onefile. You can find images of the original newspaper coverage of Hurricane Hazel, and other news stories in the Toronto Star: Pages of the Past and the Globe and Mail: Canada’s Heritage from 1844.
These can be searched inside the library, or from home or school using your Toronto Public Library card.
Suggested Magazines and Journals
Magazines, newspapers, or newsletters that discuss watershed issues:
Humber Advocate (1994-2001)
Humber River Advocate (2001-2008)
Humber River Advocate (current issues)
Old Mill, Humber River 1910 Toronto Reference Library
Additional Online Sources
Canadian Heritage Rivers System: Humber River
City of Toronto: Humber River Parks
City of Toronto-Humber River/Don River Stream Restoration and Protection Study
Federation of Ontario Naturalists
Humber River Pedestrian Bridge
Humber Valley Heritage Trail Association
Hurricane Hazel: 50 years later
Ontario Trails Council: Humber River, Old Mill and Marshes
Review of Provincially Significant Wetlands in the City of Toronto
Toronto Public Library: Historical images of the Humber River
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA): Humber River Watershed
For further assistance contact:
Humanities & Social Science Department, Toronto Reference Library
416-393-7175
trlhss @ torontopubliclibrary.ca
Old Mill Bridge over the Humber River Creative Commons 2.0: John Vetterli
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