Initiatives

Watershed Health Assessment and Monitoring

A massive undertaking, our Watershed Health Assessment and Monitoring project seeks to understand and evaluate the health of the Ottawa River watershed. As we continue this investigation, we are partnering with Indigenous communities to co-design projects, working with communities throughout the watershed to understand local issues, and engaging citizen scientists to participate in community based monitoring projects. Through this effort to collect and analyse data, we hope to empower people as they learn more about the health of the watershed to take actions to protect the incredible Ottawa River.


Youth Water Leaders Program

Open to youth aged 17 – 25, the Youth Water Leaders Program will provide participants with the skills and tools necessary to identify and propose solutions to environmental issues within the Ottawa River watershed, while offering them hands-on opportunities to learn about the river and make a difference in their communities.


Pollution Hotline

Since 2002 Ottawa Riverkeeper has run our Pollution Hotline. See something fishy? Call the Pollution Hotline at 1-888-9KEEPER or submit our electronic form. We can help you report the problem and put a stop to the harm.


Riverwatch Program

Ottawa Riverkeeper has over 90 volunteer Riverwatchers spanning the river from Temiskaming to Lake of Two Mountains. Our Riverwatchers help to inform our work throughout the watershed and have contributed to initiatives such as our real-time reporting campaign and our study on microplastics.


The Swim Guide

Ottawa Riverkeeper collects data on recreational water quality from official sources and our own testing program and makes the results available to all through Swim Guide.


Watershed Health Committee

The Watershed Health Committee is an advisory body of Ottawa Riverkeeper, made up of approximately 20 volunteer experts from academia, environmental organizations, and government agencies.


River Response

When it comes to protecting a river, nothing beats actually being out on the water! To this end, Ottawa Riverkeeper maintains a boat, which we use to investigate reports and observe the state of the watershed. Keep an eye out for us when you are on the water!