Protecting fresh water: Canada Water Agency invests over $480,000 in three new projects across the Fraser River

September 10, 2026 – Vancouver, British Columbia

The Canada Water Agency announced over $480,000 for three new projects funded through the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative.

The Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative focuses on advancing science and knowledge, building collaboration and engagement, and reducing nutrients and contaminants in the Fraser River basin. 

Recipients 2026-2027:

Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative

Raincoast Conservation Foundation  
Project: Healthy Waters: Mobilizing a new generation of Indigenous and community water quality stewards in the Fraser River watershed
Funding Amount: $169,118 over two years 
Project Description: This project builds knowledge and water quality assessment tools in partnership with Indigenous and other communities in watersheds covering nearly half of the lower Fraser River basin. This will inform future pollution reduction and restoration activities. A water symposium will advance reconciliation by convening partners to weave Western science and Indigenous Knowledge on monitoring, reporting, and focused action.

Fraser Basin Council Society   
Project: Shuswap Freshwater Science and Action Initiative
Funding Amount: $140,000 over one year 
Project Description: This project will improve understanding of freshwater issues and support partners working together to address phosphorus pollution and harmful algal blooms in the upper Thompson River watershed, an important tributary of the Fraser River, and advance reconciliation through the participation of First Nations in the Shuswap Watershed Council.

Tsilhqot'in National Government  
Project: Chilcotin River Post-Landslide Change Analysis for Water Quality and River Morphology
Funding Amount: $180,000 over two years  
Project Description: This project enables the Tsilhqot'in National Government to build capacity and understanding of the impacts on water quality and aquatic ecosystem health of the Chilcotin River – a major tributary to the Fraser River – after the 2024 landslide that temporarily blocked the river. Data collection both upstream and downstream of the slide site will inform state of ecosystem reporting and restoration and recovery priorities, including managing sediment risks to the aquatic ecosystem.