diff --git a/enable/gadgets/vu_meter.py b/enable/gadgets/vu_meter.py
index b15300854..170f0789c 100644
--- a/enable/gadgets/vu_meter.py
+++ b/enable/gadgets/vu_meter.py
@@ -72,10 +72,10 @@ class VUMeter(Component):
     _outer_radial_margin = Float(60.0)
 
     # The angle (in radians) of the span of the curve axis.
-    _phi = Property(Float, depends_on=["angle"])
+    _phi = Property(Float, observe=["angle"])
 
     # This is the radius of the circular axis (in screen coordinates).
-    _axis_radius = Property(Float, depends_on=["_phi", "width", "height"])
+    _axis_radius = Property(Float, observe=["_phi", "width", "height"])
 
     # ---------------------------------------------------------------------
     # Trait Property methods
diff --git a/enable/primitives/image.py b/enable/primitives/image.py
index 7dc2cbfc3..11d24acfd 100644
--- a/enable/primitives/image.py
+++ b/enable/primitives/image.py
@@ -31,13 +31,13 @@ class Image(Component):
     data = Array(shape=(None, None, (3, 4)), dtype="uint8")
 
     #: the format of the image data (eg. RGB vs. RGBA)
-    format = Property(Enum("rgb24", "rgba32"), depends_on="data")
+    format = Property(Enum("rgb24", "rgba32"), observe="data")
 
     #: the size-hint for constraints-based layout
-    layout_size_hint = Property(data, depends_on="data")
+    layout_size_hint = Property(data, observe="data")
 
     #: the image as a C-contiguous ndarray
-    _image = Property(Array(shape=(None, None, None)), depends_on="data")
+    _image = Property(Array(shape=(None, None, None)), observe="data")
 
     @classmethod
     def from_file(cls, filename, **traits):
diff --git a/enable/savage/compliance/comparator.py b/enable/savage/compliance/comparator.py
index ccc7612e8..33d801ea5 100644
--- a/enable/savage/compliance/comparator.py
+++ b/enable/savage/compliance/comparator.py
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ class Comparator(HasTraits):
 
     # The currently selected SVG file.
     current_file = Str()
-    abs_current_file = Property(depends_on=["current_file"])
+    abs_current_file = Property(observe=["current_file"])
 
     # The current XML ElementTree root Element and its XMLTree view model.
     current_xml = Any()
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ class Comparator(HasTraits):
 
     # The text showing the current mouse coordinates over any of the
     # components.
-    mouse_coords = Property(Str, depends_on=["ch_controller.svg_coords"])
+    mouse_coords = Property(Str, observe=["ch_controller.svg_coords"])
 
     # Move forward and backward through the list of SVG files.
     move_forward = Button(">>")
diff --git a/enable/text_field.py b/enable/text_field.py
index 95e6f522e..5af856878 100644
--- a/enable/text_field.py
+++ b/enable/text_field.py
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ class TextField(Component):
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     # The text to be edited
-    text = Property(depends_on=["_text_changed"])
+    text = Property(observe=["_text_changed"])
 
     # Events that get fired on certain keypresses
     accept = Event
@@ -74,10 +74,10 @@ class TextField(Component):
 
     # The max width/height of the displayed text in characters
     _text_width = Property(
-        depends_on=["_style", "height"], cached="_height_cache"
+        observe=["_style", "height"], cached="_height_cache"
     )
     _text_height = Property(
-        depends_on=["_style", "width"], cached="_width_cache"
+        observe=["_style", "width"], cached="_width_cache"
     )
 
     # The x-y position of the cursor in the text
diff --git a/enable/tools/drag_tool.py b/enable/tools/drag_tool.py
index 7722a5423..3477cba19 100644
--- a/enable/tools/drag_tool.py
+++ b/enable/tools/drag_tool.py
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ class DragTool(BaseTool):
 
     # private property to hold the current list of KeySpec instances of the
     # cancel keys
-    _cancel_keys = Property(List(KeySpec), depends_on="cancel_keys")
+    _cancel_keys = Property(List(KeySpec), observe="cancel_keys")
 
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     # Interface for subclasses
diff --git a/kiva/examples/kiva/kiva_explorer.py b/kiva/examples/kiva/kiva_explorer.py
index d72543907..2221759e3 100644
--- a/kiva/examples/kiva/kiva_explorer.py
+++ b/kiva/examples/kiva/kiva_explorer.py
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ class ScriptedComponent(Component):
 
     #: how long did the last draw take
     last_draw_time = Float(0.0)
-    fps_display = Property(Str, depends_on="last_draw_time")
+    fps_display = Property(Str, observe="last_draw_time")
 
     #: compiled code
     _draw_code = Any