Oak Ridges Moraine
The Oak Ridges Moraine is one of Ontario's most significant geological landforms. This irregular ridge stretches 160 kilometres from just west of the Trent River to the Niagara Escarpment. Shared and enjoyed by millions of people, it is the source of water for many river systems, home to a wealth of natural habitats and an enormous groundwater recharge system and drinking water source for central southern Ontario. Boasting 273 kilometres of trail and countless outdoor recreation activities, the Moraine offers something for everyone. It is a vibrant place for people to live, work and play in harmony with nature.
The Moraine divides the watersheds that drain south into Lake
Ontario from those that drain north into Georgian Bay, Lake Simcoe or
Rice Lake and east to the Trent River. The Moraine's sand and gravel
deposits act like a giant rain barrel, storing rain and snowmelt. Th
is
underground water is then filtered through layers of sand and gravel
(aquifers) and slowly released as cool fresh water to the rivers and
streams flowing from the Moraine. Virtually every stream west of the
Trent River within Northumberland County has a source connection to the
Moraine.
Find out more!
Interested in learning more about the Oak Ridges Moraine? Check out these resources.
Oak Ridges Moraine FoundationOak Ridges Moraine Groundwater ProgramOak Ridges Moraine Trail AssociationSave the Oak Ridges Moraine CoalitionOak Ridges Moraine Land Trust