Duffins Creek facts for kids

Duffins Creek is a stream that flows through parts of York Region and Durham Region. These areas are located in the eastern part of the Greater Toronto Area in Ontario, Canada. It's an important waterway in the region.

Quick facts for kids Duffins Creek
Headwaters of the West Duffins Creek, Rouge National Urban Park
Country	Canada
Province	Ontario
Region	Greater Toronto Area
Municipalities	Stouffville Markham Uxbridge Pickering Ajax
Physical characteristics
Main source	Confluence of several branches of Duffins Creek and tributaries Uxbridge (Goodwood and Glen Major) Stouffville (Bloomington and Lincolnville)
River mouth	Duffins Marsh at Lake Ontario Ajax 43°49′00″N 79°02′05″W / 43.8167°N 79.0348°W / 43.8167; -79.0348
Basin features
River system	Great Lakes Basin
Basin size	287 km2 (111 sq mi)

The Story of Duffins Creek's Name

Duffins Creek has had a few different names over time. The Wyandot people, who lived in this area long ago, called it Sin-qua-trik-de-que-onk. This name meant "pine wood on side."

Later, French explorers called it Riviere au Saumon. This translates to "Salmon River." They likely named it this because Atlantic salmon used to swim up the creek to lay their eggs.

The name "Duffins Creek" came about around 1788. It seems to be named after a trader known only as Duffin.

Branches of Duffins Creek

Duffins Creek flows into Lake Ontario at a place called Duffins Marsh in Ajax. But before it reaches the lake, many smaller streams and branches join it. These smaller waterways are called tributaries.

There are 12 other waterways that branch off Duffins Creek. They flow from areas closer to the Oak Ridges Moraine, which is a large ridge of hills.

Here are some of the main branches of Duffins Creek:

• Stouffville Creek - This creek is named after the town of Stouffville, which it flows near.
• Reesor Creek - This branch is named after the Reesor family. They lived in the northern parts of Pickering and Markham.
• West Duffins Creek - This is a major branch that flows northwest. It runs near Pickering Village and heads towards Stouffville.
• Wixon Creek
• Mitchell Creek
• East Duffins Creek
• Major Creek
• Whitevale Creek
• Urfé Creek
• Brougham Creek
• Ganatsekagon Creek
• Millers Creek