Over ten years ago, we had an idea: what if freshwater data was easier to find, share, and use?

That idea became DataStream.

Of course, the story of how Mackenzie DataStream evolved into the trusted freshwater resource that it is today is much more nuanced than that. The foundational relationship between the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Gordon Foundation – and with the direction of northern communities – laid the groundwork for what we have built today.

That collaborative vision remains at our core as we’ve continued to grow, thanks to the support of our community partners and a diverse network of researchers, Indigenous Nations, and governments, each with unique needs and motivations for monitoring.

Left to right: York South—Weston—Etobicoke MP Ahmed Hussen, DataStream Executive Director Katherine Balpataky, Winnipeg South MP Terry Duguid, and Gordon Foundation CEO Carolyn DuBois at DataStream’s 10-year anniversary event.

Through these efforts, DataStream has become a robust, trusted tool and program, grounded in community needs and aligned with international best practices for data sharing.

And the data has grown with it.

Today, DataStream brings together over 78 water quality observations from 58,000 monitoring locations collected by over 400 monitoring groups.

But the numbers only tell part of the story.

At the heart of every dataset are people watching their waters, asking questions, sharing what they learn, and using data to make a difference. Behind the DataStream platform and program is a passionate team, dedicated to improving how waters are protected.

Gila Somers (Government of the Northwest Territories) places a pin on the map to show what water body matters most to her.

To mark our 10-year anniversary, we brought together partners, friends, and supporters in Ottawa. Check out photos from DataStream’s 10-Year celebratory reception on Parliament Hill.

Our report, DataStream at ten – Celebrating a decade of bringing people and data together to protect fresh water, maps DataStream’s evolution.

Ten years in, we’re proud of how far this community has come—and even more excited about where we’re going next.

Thank you to DataStream’s partners and supporters!

More news to celebrate!

RBC Foundation continues its support of DataStream with $1.5M over three years to help achieve pan-Canadian expansion.

Philanthropist and passionate water champion, John McCutcheon commits $2M to be part of a new DataStream Sustainability Fund to help ensure that DataStream’s repository and program are sustainable in the long term.

John McCutcheon with Gordon Foundation board member Kyra L. Montagu at DataStream’s 10-year anniversary event on Parliament Hill.