The Carp River watershed is an important natural ecosystem that is located entirely within the City of Ottawa. The river is 42 km long and drains an area of 306 km². It is predominately urban in the headwaters in Stittsville with the remainder of the watershed in a rural state, reaching its endpoint at Fitzroy Harbour.

The Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority has been working on a number of significant projects that will enhance the Carp River and its watershed, based on recommendations from the Carp River Watershed/Subwatershed Study December 2004 and involve community partners such as the Friends of the Carp River, the City of Ottawa, and local community members.