Credit River - Definition

The Credit River is a river in southern Ontario which flows from headwaters on the Niagara Escarpment to empty into Lake Ontario at Port Credit, Ontario, now part of Mississauga. It drains an area of approximately 1,000 km². The total length of the river and its tributary streams is over 1,500 km.

Despite urbanization and associated problems with water quality on the lower section of this river, it provides spawning areas for chinook salmon and rainbow trout. There is a fish ladder on the river at Streetsville. Much of the river can still be travelled by canoe or kayak, although, in some sections, landowners with property edging on the river may not be in full agreement.

Forks of the Credit Provincial Park is located on the upper part of the river near Orangeville.

Communities in the river's watershed include:

• Mississauga
• Brampton
• Orangeville
• Halton Hills

The river was named Rivière au Crédit by French fur traders, because trading goods were supplied to the native Mississaugas in advance (on credit) against furs which would be provided the following spring. A trading post was set up here in the early 18th century.

External Link

• Credit Valley Conservation Authority (http://www.creditvalleycons.com/)