Toyohira River

From the mountain Oizaridake, the Toyohira River flows northwards into . The created the lake. The river runs through the gorge. After exiting the gorge it is joined by several more rivers before turning East. Two smaller dams block the course of the Toyohira as it moves into the suburbs of Sapporo. The river flows north and east through the middle of the Toyohira Ward of Sapporo. As it leaves the urban area it forms the border between Sapporo and Ebetsu before emptying into the Ishikari River. == History ==

The Ainu know this river as Sapporo Pet (Sapporo River). Toyopira was originally the name of a crossing point of the Sapporo River. Until the 19th century, the lower course of the Sapporo River had been the same as the Fushiko River of today, emptying into the Ishikari River directly to the north. After a flood, the river made a new course to the east. The Ainu call the remains of this old lower course of the Sapporo River Fushiko Sapporo or Old Sapporo. When the Japanese colonized the area, they used Ainu place names. They named the new capital city after the river Sapporo and named the Sapporo River (Sapporo Pet) after the crossing point Toyohira. The old lower course of the Fushiko Sapporo was named . The Toyohira Bridge was built at the crossing point named Toyopira by the Ainu. ==Tributaries==

• Anano River • Makomanai River ==References==