When temperatures rise, people head to the water. But how do we know when beaches are suitable for swimming? Introduction As summer temperatures climb across the National Capital Region, thousands of people flock to local beaches, rivers, lakes, and swim docks to cool off. Behind every swimming recommendation is an...
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Ottawa Riverkeeper
Comments on the Discussion Paper: Getting Major Projects Built in Canada
July 15, 2026
Ottawa Riverkeeper is a charitable organization dedicated to protecting and promoting the ecological health of the Ottawa River and its tributaries. Over the past 25 years, we have reviewed and commented on numerous projects with the potential to affect the Ottawa River watershed. Through this work, we have seen firsthand...
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When Heavy Rain Changes Water Quality: What Swimmers Need to Know
July 10, 2026
Following the intense rainfall that swept across Canada's National Capital Region on July 1, many people have been wondering: Is it safe to swim after such a heavy rain? Let’s plunge into the latest recreational water quality results to help answer that question. What to expect In general, water quality...
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We All Live Downstream
July 8, 2026
by Jill Heinerth There is a kind of work that begins with curiosity but grows into responsibility. That is how I feel about cave diving in the Ottawa River. I enter these submerged passages because I am drawn to hidden places, to the thrill of discovery, and to the questions...
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A proposal for a land-based salmon farm on the shores of the Ottawa River
June 10, 2026
Samonix is proposing a land-based salmon farm on the shores of the Ottawa River in the Pontiac region of Quebec. Ottawa Riverkeeper, other environmental organizations, and Anishinābeg Algonquin communities have raised a variety of questions and concerns. Given that this project would be the first of its kind in the...
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Federal Court of Appeal upholds the Species at Risk Act
May 29, 2026
A recent Federal Court of Appeal decision has directed Environment and Climate Change Canada to reconsider a permit granted for the proposed Near Surface Disposal Facility at Chalk River Laboratories. The ruling marks a significant moment for species-at-risk protection and raises important questions about the future of one of the most ecologically sensitive areas along the Ottawa River watershed. Read more about the decision and what it could mean for wildlife, habitats, and river protection.
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