North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper

The North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper is a registered Canadian charity and an initiative of Swim Drink Fish Canada operating in Edmonton, Alberta. Riverkeeper educates and informs the community about their watershed through water literacy programming, the Swim Guide, and the Watermark Project water story program, among others. By connecting the community to the water and empowering the community to recognize and report threats to their watershed, Riverkeeper builds a community of stewards promoting a swimmable, drinkable, fishable future for all.

Riverkeeper first monitored the water quality of the North Saskatchewan River in 2017, then monitored in 2019 and 2022-2024. The Riverkeeper is monitoring again in 2026 for 5 sites: Terwillegar Dog Park, Fort Edmonton Footbridge Sandbar (Cougar Island), Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park, Capilano Boat Launch, and Accidental Beach. Accidental Beach made its first surprising appearance in 2017 following sand and sediment build-up during the construction of the Tawatina LRT bridge. The beach drew record numbers to the shores of the North Saskatchewan River, highlighting the hidden current of public desire to connect to local water bodies. North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper continues its water monitoring program to advocate for cleaner waters within Edmonton and across the prairies.

Since 2012, the North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper has been responsible for updating Swim Guide data for the prairie provinces. Hundreds of beaches across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba have up-to-date water quality information for swimmers provided by Alberta Health Services, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health, and the Government of Manitoba, along with other organizations.

Contact

Phone: (416) 861-1237

Email: contact@swimdrinkfish.ca

Website: https://www.swimdrinkfish.ca/

Facebook: @swimdrinkfish

Instagram: @swimdrinkfish