Blog

The North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper office is closed in response to the current COVID-19 situation. We and Swim Drink Fish are here for you in these challenging times. Here are some of the programs that are still up and running to … Continued

Dear Friends, This is the first time the senior leadership team at Swim Drink Fish has penned a joint letter to the entire movement. We commonly write to request a donation this time of year, but this joint letter is … Continued

This September I’m putting on my watershoes, zipping up my PFD, and dipping bottles into the river, all in the name of Enterococci (pronounced en-tr-oh-kaa-kai). I’m going down to Terwillegar Park and Accidental Beach every week to test the waters … Continued

We are very excited to announce that the North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper will once again test the water quality of the North Saskatchewan River! The Edmonton Community Monitoring Program was made possible by a $10,000 Environmental Grant that we received from … Continued

As long as I can remember I have been coming to Turtle Lake, Saskatchewan. My mom’s family has owned land on the lake since the early 30s, and we are lucky to share a lakefront property on one of the … Continued

Depending on where you live, you may have experienced floods over your life or if you’re like me, you only know about flooding and the devastation it causes from the news channel. Flooding can happen in the most unlikely of … Continued

When you think about the Canadian prairie provinces, beaches and swimming are probably not the first things that come to mind. But Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba do, in fact, have some amazing waterbodies that you will want to be enjoying … Continued

There’s nothing quite like taking a dip on a hot summer day in the cold water of a natural body of water. But unless it’s a chlorinated pool, I always think about whether the water I swim in will make … Continued

When you think about policy documents you probably think about dense legal jargon that usually has no consequence to you or your life. In my blog this week, I share with you some key Canadian water policies and events since … Continued

I didn’t grow up in Edmonton around the North Saskatchewan River, but instead on a grain and cattle farm where the river was a five minute drive away, and was inhabited by more wildlife than humans. Growing up, the river … Continued

Throughout the day, I kept looking outside as a haze of smoke slowly enveloped the city. Edmonton started disappearing around me. My lungs began to feel heavier and heavier as the smoke encroached from all directions. The river disappeared from … Continued

Water’s beauty is almost indescribable. It provides us with more than words can encompass. Water reaches deep into our feelings and emotions. The joy of splashing in the waves, the calm of fishing, and the bliss of canoeing are all … Continued

Fishing. For me, it sparks foggy memories of sitting with my grandfather on a small metal boat in Lac-des-Sables, Quebec, waiting impatiently for any sign of movement. I kept busy playing with the bucket full of wriggling worms. I’ll never … Continued

Bottled water is incredibly convenient. You can purchase it almost anywhere nowadays. When out and about, bottled water is the healthy choice among the sugary sodas, juices, and energy drinks that fill up the aisles of grocery stores. For many … Continued

Humans have adapted diverse forms of transportation over the years. We have travelled by boats, horses, bicycles, cars, airplanes, skateboards, ATVs, segways, and SO many more. Personally, I’m still waiting for the true Back to the Future-style hoverboards. Evidently, there … Continued

Seeking out waterbodies is built into our DNA. They bring us joy, calm, fascination, and memories. My favourite moments are spent by the water. Like watching waves crash and slither back with the tides. Feeling the force of a river … Continued

  A plastic water bottle falls upon the river valley trail. Its owner was aiming for the recycling bin, but missed, initiating this bottle’s journey to new lands. A wind gust pushes the cylinder down the steep valley. It rolls … Continued

It’s no secret that the Blue Planet has a lot of water. Approximately 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered in water, amounting to about 1,386,000,000,000,000,000,000 L. This amount is so large, it’s hard to even imagine. The amount of … Continued

Walking though Edmonton in the winter you’ve probably seen them. Maybe you’ve wondered where they come from. Perhaps you’ve even wondered where they go. I definitely wondered what they were and why they are all over the place. What are … Continued

Water is one of the fundamental human necessities. We consume it every day to survive. Most of us choose to live near water. Many of us have a love for water. But do we know water? Do we understand water? … Continued

Canadians overwhelmingly care about their waters. We can think about fond memories of time spent by our waterbodies. We appreciate the safety and cleanliness of our drinking water. We can enjoy the splendour of seeing aquatic wildlife thriving in their … Continued

As the chill of winter sweeps across the prairies, our memories of summer water sports seem distant. But instead of reminiscing of warm days spent by the water, why not warm your heart with one of Canada’s favourite winter activities? … Continued

History is constantly changing. We uncover new accounts of past occurrences every day, revealing interesting stories of how our lands used to be. Like its history, the North Saskatchewan River is constantly changing. The ebb and flow changes from year … Continued

The North Saskatchewan River looks so beautiful this time of year. Analyzing the surface of the water, it seems to bloom with frozen lily pads. This blossoming phenomenon is not unique to this river, but it’s certainly a captivating event. … Continued

There is much uncertainty surrounding Edmonton’s drinking water. Is it safe drinking water? Why is there sediment in the water? Does the water taste good? The drinking water for the City of Edmonton goes through two water treatment plants run … Continued

I have loved water since I can remember. Whether it was splashing around in a bathtub, treading water with my synchronized swimming team, rowing in my high school regatta, or catching a long wave on a surfboard, many of my … Continued

The North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper ensures that we have a swimmable, drinkable, and fishable North Saskatchewan River. One of the ways that you can contribute to this goal is by reporting water pollution. Last week while giving a water presentation to … Continued

I am a self-proclaimed nature nerd. I love the natural world. Whether it’s going camping, going birdwatching in wildlife reserves, or stopping to watch the neighbourhood hares on my walk to work, nothing makes me happier than seeing wildlife. The … Continued

Deep breath in. Hold. Deep breath out.     Anxiety, stress, nervousness. We all experience these to varying degrees. Managing anxiety can be challenging, but luckily a proven method of management is free and easy to do. Spend time in … Continued

Each and every one of us lives in a watershed. Many of us may not realize this, or may not even know what this means. Watersheds impact people’s lives and people have significant impacts on watersheds. In order to understand … Continued

  Many people living in communities along the North Saskatchewan think that the river is dirty. When I first moved to Edmonton last November I saw the colour of the river and assumed the same thing. The river was covered with … Continued

I’ve often wondered about the flushability of everyday items. I have watched people in movies flushing medications down the toilet, I have flushed my dead fish down the toilet (RIP), and I sometimes wonder whether flushable wipes are truly flushable. … Continued

Hello fellow Riverkeepers! It’s a pleasure to be a member of the Swim Drink Fish team in Edmonton. I am a former Calgarian and Montréalaise (Montrealer). Prior to my move to Edmonton last year, everyone kept telling me how gorgeous … Continued

  For years and years I’ve grown up here and have taken the Edmonton River Valley and Parks for granted. Only in the last couple of years have I really begun to appreciate the incredible opportunity and beauty that is … Continued

  There’s nothing quite like seeing Edmonton from the water. Floating down the river by boat, canoe, kayak, etc. provides a very different perspective of our city and is sure to make one appreciate the river valley in a new … Continued

  What is Swimmers Itch? Swimmers itch refers to a swim rash caused by an allergic reaction to certain microscopic parasite larvae. These parasites lay eggs in, and infect waterfowl and certain water going animals such as muskrats. The feces … Continued

  It is one of the busiest weekends of the summer. The sun is out, and it’s the perfect time to relax and take the opportunity to get to the water. Whether it’s a beach, dock, lake, or river take … Continued

This blog will be all about fishing on the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton. I’m not an avid fisherman myself but do enjoy the occasional cast and reel. I never really realized the potential that the river has in the … Continued

  All the water that we use comes from the North Saskatchewan River, but it’s not as easy as just sucking it up and distributing it out to everyone’s tap. Edmonton has a thorough water treatment system run by EPCOR … Continued

  On July 26th, history is going to be made in Kingston, Ontario. The Gord Edgar Downie Pier – Canada’s first deep water urban swimming pier will be opened and a celebration for the reclamation of Kingston’s waterfront at the … Continued

  Where does it come from and where does it go? The North Saskatchewan River originates from the Saskatchewan Glacier in the Columbia Icefields 1800m above sea level. It flows through the Rocky Mountains into the manmade Abraham Lake which is … Continued

  For the most part, my experience with the river has been a clean one. The river can be a very safe and enjoyable place to swim given the point of entry and under the right conditions. In this blog … Continued

  Ever since I can remember water has been a huge part of my life. It sparked from my childhood obsession with dolphins that soon grew to a love and respect for the ocean. Obviously having been born in Edmonton … Continued

  They say Manitoba is home to over 100,000 lakes and for every lake there are multiple beaches. When’s the last time you unwound and took in a relaxing beachside long weekend? Manitoba is an ideal place to make this … Continued

  Saskatchewan is home to an abundance of beautiful lakes and beaches. With the upcoming Canada Day Long Weekend and the start of summer we encourage you to check one out. When was the last time you were able to … Continued

  It’s officially that time of summer to celebrate Canada. For many of us, summer happens by the water and what better way to celebrate Canada Day than going to the beach! With the help of Swim Guide you can … Continued

    Two-time Olympic alpine skiing bronze medalist, Karen Percy Lowe, shares her inspirations for founding the North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper and contributing to a growing movement across Canada to protect swimmable, drinkable, fishable water for everyone.   Behind the scenes … Continued

    Job Title: Edmonton Swim Guide Program Coordinator   Swim Drink Fish Canada and North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper are seeking a talented and motivated individual for the new, full-time position of Edmonton Swim Guide Program Coordinator. This community-based river monitoring program … Continued

The deep cold of winter has arrived, and with it, an opportunity to experience the natural world in a whole new way. Yesterday, I bought a new neck warmer to cover my face and to replace one that was lost … Continued

Photo: Brandi Redd Most Edmontonians have by now accepted that a White Christmas may not come until next year. Although many of us will miss it, the flip side is that the City of Edmonton will use less of its new … Continued

The hum at last week’s Urban Planning Committee meeting revealed a quiet excitement – the kind that secretly bubbles behind outward political composure. Sparking eyes all around the table hinted mischievously that mere committee formalities could do little to dissuade … Continued

Beach report assesses water quality, Brett Kissel joins Lowes to support protection of North Saskatchewan River Swim Drink Fish Canada and North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper release river monitoring report and raise funds for clean water with Brett Kissel and Karen & … Continued

As the swimming season slows down, this year’s monitoring program comes to a close this week. See the latest results below and watch for our Summer 2017 report, which will outline the findings of this year’s program in greater detail. … Continued

  This Tuesday’s test results revealed a temporary, but significant spike in levels of E. coli in the North Saskatchewan River. The reason for the increased level of bacteria is not clear and tests will continue well into September along with the … Continued

On Wednesday, August 30th, the Bighorn Dam on the North Saskatchewan River was shutoff for approximately 24 hours to conduct a routine leakage test. The shutoff reduced river flow immediately beneath the dam to half a cubic metre per second, … Continued

  The North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper’s recreational water monitoring program conducts tests along the river at key access points within the city of Edmonton and this week’s results are now available in Swim Guide. The program tests for E. Coli, which is … Continued

Depends on the day (and even the time!), but here is what we found on August 22nd.   Cloverdale Beach has been the talk of the city these past couple weeks – an accidental surprise resulting from the construction of … Continued

The August 15th results from the North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper’s recreational water monitoring program are now available in Swim Guide. Please note that results only reflect water quality at the time of sampling and that E. coli levels are only one of many … Continued

The August 8th results from the North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper’s recreational water monitoring program are now available in Swim Guide. This week, we have added results for a popular sandbar just upstream of the Fort Edmonton Footbridge. Please note that results only … Continued

The long weekend is upon us and with a bit of luck we will get some sunshine! August long is one of the busiest times of year for Alberta’s beaches and before you make weekend plans, be sure to confirm … Continued

The North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper’s recreational water monitoring program is releasing it’s first official results today. The program tests for E. coli as a bacteria indicator of fecal contamination in recreational waters. The Laurier Park and Capilano Park boat launches are popular … Continued

North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper and Swim Drink Fish Canada are pleased to announce that our new water quality monitoring program on the North Saskatchewan River is now underway! The program features weekly water sampling at the Laurier and Capilano boat launches and … Continued

At a Community and Public Services Committee meeting last week, the City of Edmonton proposed the introduction of a new anti-icing agent, calcium chloride, in its snow and ice removal strategy. The proposal to spray our roads with a liquid … Continued

As the summer heats up, Albertans have already been handed five blue-green algae advisories and there will, unfortunately, be several more in the coming weeks (update: more than 20 as of August 8th). What do these advisories mean for beach-goers, … Continued

  The Canada Day weekend is proving to be a hot one and many Albertans are taking to the beach. Where will you stake out your stretch of sand? If you’re weighing the options, take a look at the Swim … Continued

In partnership with Swim Drink Fish Canada, the North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper’s has this year’s water literacy programs well underway. Our new Water Literacy Manager, Hans Asfeldt, is leading the programs and of the many engagements he will pursue this year … Continued

The North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper, in partnership with Swim Drink Fish Canada, is pleased to announce the debut of our new manager of Water Literacy, Hans Asfeldt! Hans brings to the role a wealth of experience and leadership on key environmental … Continued

North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper in partnership with Swim Drink Fish Canada is seeking a Water Literacy coordinator for a full-time contract to help develop and launch a water awareness and community engagement program in Edmonton. This position is a perfect opportunity … Continued

  Ngaio Hotte is a writer, resource economist and facilitator based in Vancouver, BC. Over the summer of 2015, Ngaio embarked on a journey to cross the Canadian Prairies by canoe with her partner, Harry. This journey gave them a chance … Continued

  The Waterkeeper Gala in Toronto on Thursday, April 21st, is just one week away! This year’s Gala will introduce 12 Swim Drink Fish Ambassadors from across Canada. These are individuals who have demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to creating a future … Continued

Join us in celebrating World Water Day at North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper and learn more about how you can become a Canadian Water Leader! What is World Water Day? World Water Day is an international observance and an opportunity to learn … Continued

My North Saskatchewan River watermark dates back to 2009. This was around the time Karen and Kevin Lowe, Mark Mattson, and Britt Standen were starting the Riverkeeper organization, based in Edmonton. I had been asked to join the board of … Continued

About a month ago, I was in Toronto’s distillery district during the Panam Games. I happened to walk through on one of the nights that Porte Parole’s Watershed Project was being exhibited. If you haven’t heard of it, the Watershed Project … Continued

We prepared and submitted our letter of appeal in opposition of the approved permit application for a gravel pit in the Sturgeon Hole Reach Environmentally Significant Area of Parkland County (p.198). The lake sturgeon is an amazing fish and this … Continued

We were part of a group of health and environmental organisations signing on to a public statement in support of prohibiting the use of triclosan (a harmful anti-microbial agent) in Canada.  This is for your health, your kids’ health, and … Continued

We were part of a group of environmental organisations who submitted an “Obed one year later” media release calling for action and enforcement by our governments on the largest coal slurry spill in Canadian history.