COBARIC - Comité de bassin de la rivière Chaudière

What COBARIC - Comité de bassin de la rivière Chaudière does

COBARIC (Comité de bassin de la rivière Chaudière) is a Quebec-mandated non-profit watershed management organization (Organisme de bassins versants, OBV) established in 1994 and headquartered in Scott, Québec, with a 12-person multidisciplinary team. Operating under Quebec's Law Affirming the Collective Nature of Water Resources, it holds exclusive statutory authority to coordinate water governance and implement the Plan directeur de l'eau (Water Master Plan) for the Chaudière River basin. Its core technology platform is the Système de surveillance de la rivière Chaudière (SSRC), launched in 2009 and upgraded in 2024, which provides real-time water level monitoring, flood alerts, and citizen warnings across the watershed. Supporting technical capabilities include systematic water quality monitoring (Réseau-Rivières), electrofishing-based fish population characterization, drone orthophoto analysis for wetland and shoreline delineation, and hydromorphological assessment, all of which collectively generate a 30-year longitudinal dataset on the Chaudière ecosystem.

The organization's service portfolio spans monitoring (14 lakes under the RSVL program), invasive species control (Giant Hogweed, Japanese Knotweed, Eurasian Water-milfoil), habitat restoration, community engagement (Corvée Chaudière cleanup events, fishing mentorship, school presentations), and fee-for-service environmental consulting to municipalities, MRCs, forestry companies, and agricultural producers. Revenue is derived from four streams: recurring core operational funding from MELCCFP, project-based grants (e.g., $969,000 CAD from FARR 2018-2021 for Giant Hogweed control), membership fees from supporting organizations and citizens, and professional services billed to municipalities and landowners. Quantifiable outputs include 23,450+ trees and shrubs delivered since 2011, over 500 culvert structures characterized, and coordination across 9 OBVs in Chaudière-Appalaches.

COBARIC's go-to-market is community-led and trust-based: it mobilizes stakeholders through in-person events, direct field engagement, partner organizations, and a multi-channel digital presence (website, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, newsletter). It does not operate in a traditional commercial market; its primary "customer" is the Quebec government as mandate-grantor and funder, with secondary end-users being municipalities, lake associations, agricultural and forestry operators, and individual citizens. The organization's competitive position rests on regulatory mandate, accumulated environmental data, and a deeply embedded stakeholder network across the Chaudière-Appalaches region.

Name

COBARIC - Comité de bassin de la rivière Chaudière

Legal name

Comité de bassin de la rivière Chaudière

Website

https://cobaric.qc.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

COBARIC is a Quebec-mandated non-profit watershed management organization (OBV) established in 1994 that coordinates water governance, monitoring, and restoration for the Chaudière River basin, serving municipalities, MRCs, agricultural and forestry operators, and citizens through grant-funded programs and technical services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Watershed Management Services

NAICS

Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (92411), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)

SIC

Water Supply (4941)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Resources Administration (Watersheds, Rivers, Groundwater) (BPAIAMAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK), State/Provincial Environmental Protection & Natural Resources Administration (BPAIABAL), Wetlands & Waters of the U.S. Delineation / Riparian Assessments (EUAHAHAC)

Keywords

• Watershed management services
• Water quality monitoring
• Invasive species control
• Flood alert systems
• Environmental consulting services

Headquarters

HQ city

Scott

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Government Core Funding: Base operational funding from the Quebec government (MELCCFP) as a mandated watershed management organization (OBV) under the Law on Water Governance
2. Project-Based Grants: Time-limited project funding from government programs (FARR, environmental funds) and regional organizations for specific initiatives such as invasive species control, habitat restoration, and water monitoring
3. Member Fees: Annual membership fees providing access to exclusive benefits and newsletter updates for supporters and stakeholders
4. Professional Services: Fee-for-service technical assistance to municipalities, MRCs, and landowners including authorization support, project accompaniment, and specialized labor for environmental work

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

COBARIC is the government-mandated watershed management organization (OBV) for the Chaudière River basin, delivering water quality monitoring, real-time flood alerts via the SSRC, invasive species eradication programs, aquatic habitat restoration, environmental characterization (electrofishing, benthic surveys, drone orthophoto), and field services to municipalities, MRCs, agricultural producers, forestry companies, and lakeside associations. The Plan directeur de l'eau master plan governs priorities including flooding, invasive species, wetland preservation, and pesticide contamination.

Product overview

COBARIC is a non-profit water basin organization (Organisme de bassin versant - OBV) mandated under Quebec's Water Law. It does not offer commercial software products but rather provides environmental programs and services. Its core offerings include the Système de surveillance de la rivière Chaudière (SSRC) - a water monitoring and flood alert system, and the Plan directeur de l'eau - a comprehensive watershed management plan. These are supported by specialized programs addressing invasive species control (Berce du Caucase), river cleanups (Corvée Chaudière), recreational canoe routes (Parcours canotables), and community engagement initiatives including bulk plant purchases and funding programs for shoreline associations. Professional services are offered to municipalities, forestry, and agricultural sectors for water quality assessment, wetland characterization, and project support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Système de surveillance de la rivière Chaudière (SSRC) Real-time water level monitoring and flood alert system for the Chaudière River basin, providing citizens with flood warnings and water level data. Aimed at residents, municipalities, and emergency responders across the Chaudière-Appalaches watershed.
• Plan directeur de l'eau du bassin versant de la rivière Chaudière Comprehensive water management master plan for the Chaudière River watershed, identifying priorities including flooding, invasive species, wetland preservation, pesticide contamination, and watercourse degradation. Used to guide municipal, agricultural, forestry, and lake association stakeholders.
• Berce du Caucase Program (Regional Giant Hogweed Offensive) Regional offensive program for eradication and control of Giant Hogweed, an invasive species threatening biodiversity and human health. Coordinated across 9 OBVs in Chaudière-Appalaches with $969,000 in FARR funding (2018-2021).
• Corvée Chaudière Community cleanup program for the Chaudière River involving canoe-based waste collection activities engaging citizens and volunteer stewards.
• Parcours canotables (Canoeable Routes) Canoeing and kayaking route development program providing recreational access to waterways spanning from MRC du Granit to Lévis, supporting non-motorized boating and tourism.
• Programme d'achat groupé d'arbustes (Bulk Shrub Purchase Program) Bulk shrub and tree purchase program coordinated by COBARIC since 2011, encouraging riverside vegetation for lake health and blue-green algae prevention. Delivered over 23,450 trees and shrubs to lakeside associations through group purchasing.
• Programme de financement pour les associations riveraines Funding program for lakefront and riverside associations, supporting projects addressing the five priority issues defined in the Water Master Plan. Active since 2009 for legally constituted lake and river associations.
• Environmental consultation services Professional services for municipalities, MRCs, and enterprises covering water quality characterization, wetland delineation, stormwater management, electrofishing assessments, drone orthophoto validation, and technical support for funding applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• 14 lakes monitored for water quality through RSVL program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Regroupement des organismes de bassins versants de la Chaudière-AppalachescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 March 2018Regional coordination body for the 9 watershed organizations in Chaudière-Appalaches. Jointly launched the $969,000 Giant Hogweed Control Offensive (2018-2021), with COBARIC hosting the regional coordinator and coordinating cross-OBV actions.
• Association Chasse et Pêche Lac-Mégantic (ACPLM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 February 2018Collaboration on fishing mentorship program at Lac Mégantic. ACPLM organizes and hosts the white fishing activity while COBARIC provides technical support and program coordination. Seven apprentices and five mentors participated in the first activity on February 24, 2018.
• Association des propriétaires de boisés de la BeauceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in annual tree distribution program. Collaborated to distribute over 1,500 trees in 2023 during Tree Month and Water Month celebrations.
• Embellissements La ChaudièreminorOthersShrub supplier for the group purchasing program since 2021, replacing Serres Saint-Georges. Supplies arbustes at competitive prices for lakeside associations participating in the riparian revegetation program.
• Serres Saint-GeorgesminorOthersPrevious shrub supplier for the group purchasing program from 2011 to 2020, providing arbustes at competitive prices for lakeside associations.
• Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP)coreOthersProvincial government ministry that mandates COBARIC as the official watershed organization (OBV) and provides core operational funding. Coordinates water surveillance programs including Réseau-Rivières, RSVL, and Environnement-Plage.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• OBV de la Capitale: Quebec OBV serving watersheds in the Capitale-Nationale region, sharing the same statutory mandate, Water Master Plan structure, and provincial funding framework as COBARIC. Direct operational peer in the Quebec OBV network.
• COGESAF (Conseil de gouvernance de l'eau des bassins versants de la rivière Saint-François): Another Quebec OBV mandated under the same provincial water governance framework, serving the Saint-François River watershed. Closely comparable in mandate, funding model, services, and structure to COBARIC, just operating in a different Quebec watershed territory.
• Organisme de bassin versant de la Yamaska (OBV Yamaska): Mandated OBV for the Yamaska River watershed in Quebec. Performs the same functions as COBARIC (water quality monitoring, master planning, stakeholder engagement, project coordination) under the same Quebec legislative framework.

Broad incumbents

• Regroupement des organismes de bassins versants du Québec (ROBVQ): Quebec's umbrella association for all OBVs (watershed organizations). Directly comparable as the coordinating body for organizations like COBARIC; represents the broader OBV network in policy and funding discussions with the Quebec government.
• Canards Illimités Canada / Ducks Unlimited Canada: Major Canadian conservation non-profit focused on wetland and waterfowl habitat conservation. Overlaps with COBARIC on wetland conservation, riparian habitat work, and water quality, but operates nationally with a different funding model (primarily member/donor-driven).
• Conservation de la nature Canada (CNC) / Nature Conservancy of Canada: Canada's largest land conservation non-profit, active in Quebec with habitat protection, land stewardship, and watershed-related projects. Comparable as a fellow environmental non-profit but operates at national scale with different mandate and funding sources.

Regional players

• Conservation Ontario: Umbrella network for Ontario's 36 Conservation Authorities, which perform watershed management functions similar to Quebec OBVs. Conceptually parallel to COBARIC's role in Ontario, providing a cross-provincial peer for watershed governance models.
• Alliance for the Great Lakes (formerly Great Lakes United): Non-profit dedicated to protecting the Great Lakes basin through policy advocacy, scientific research, and community engagement. Comparable to COBARIC as a watershed-focused non-profit but operating in a different (much larger) North American water basin.
• Fondation Rivières: Quebec non-profit focused on river protection, water quality advocacy, and policy engagement. Compares to COBARIC on the advocacy and public education dimension but lacks the statutory mandate and watershed coordination role that COBARIC plays.
• SNAP Québec (Société pour la nature et les parcs): Quebec branch of the Nature Conservancy of Canada-affiliated Parks society, focused on protecting Quebec's natural heritage including aquatic ecosystems. Comparable as a Quebec environmental advocacy and conservation non-profit with overlapping watershed interests.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCbH0wCrVCcKzjwUYOPJ0rgg
• Facebookfacebook.com/COBARIC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cobaric
• TikToktiktok.com/@cobaric

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about COBARIC - Comité de bassin de la rivière Chaudière