How can I interact?
Make a splash—digitally, of course! You can interact with The Flow Within right from your phone. Tap to create ripples in the flowing visuals, echoing the Avon River’s movement and energy. Your interaction translates to the big screen. Leave your mark on this dynamic artwork in real time.
You are the story of the river!
Water flow changes and concerns.
Ever wonder what "going with the flow" really means? The changing colours of the background represent the water flow level of the river over the last 100 years as documented by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. Water levels affect the health of the river dramatically: too low and the river overheats in summer or freezes too deeply in winter, leaving native fish struggling to survive; too high and the banks erode, adding sediment that disrupts the ecosystem.
Going with the flow isn’t always easy!
Sediment changes and concerns,
Did you know that sediment in rivers acts as a transporter for pollutants washed into the river from surrounding land? In Stratford’s Avon River, too much sediment can harm fish by blocking light, suffocating eggs, and increasing water temperatures. The swirls of particles in the The Flow Within presentation represent the changing sediment conditions over the last 100 years. Watch for a change in the levels in the 1980s when a sedimentation basin project captured 100 yards of sediment.
Interact with the installation to further understand the representation of the swirls!
Indigenous relationship with river
What if rivers could talk? The Avon River, flowing through the traditional territories of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Neutral peoples, would have ancient stories to tell. As a tributary of the Thames River—Deshkan Ziibi in Anishinaabemowin—this waterway connected communities, supported ecosystems, and carried teachings for generations. Indigenous peoples view rivers as sacred, emphasizing balance and care for all life. While settlers disrupted this harmony through deforestation and pollution, efforts today to protect the river reflect Indigenous values of connection and restoration.
Going with the flow isn’t always easy!
Fish types and issues they face
Ever heard of a "sentinel species"? Brook trout in the Avon River are exactly that—they tell us how healthy the water is! But here’s the bad news: their population has dropped by a staggering 80% in just 50 years. While thousands of brook trout have been reintroduced, invasive species like carp and goldfish are stealing the spotlight (and the food). As the land along the river has been developed there are fewer shaded banks to keep the water cool; native fish are struggling to hold their ground in the river.