WaterPower Canada has opened registrations for the 2026 edition of WPC Dragons’ Dam, a student engineering competition that will take place during Canadian Waterpower Week.

The competition is open to post-secondary engineering students enrolled at Canadian institutions and is designed to connect emerging talent with the hydropower industry while encouraging practical, innovative thinking on real-world waterpower challenges.

Teams of up to four students are invited to develop and submit proposals that address hydropower-related engineering problems. Submissions may include written reports and optional supporting materials such as presentations or short videos. The competition does not prescribe a specific technical focus, allowing teams to explore a wide range of concepts including design optimization, new technologies, system integration, or operational improvements.

Following a review process, selected finalist teams will be invited to present their proposals live at Canadian Waterpower Week to a panel of industry professionals known as the “WPC Dragons.” Finalists will receive complimentary full conference registration, providing access to technical sessions and networking opportunities with utilities, developers, consultants, manufacturers, and policymakers.

A total prize pool of CAD $10,000 will be awarded, with $5,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place, and $2,000 for third place.

Dragons’ Dam was introduced as part of WaterPower Canada’s broader workforce development and innovation efforts, aimed at strengthening the pipeline between academic programs and the hydropower sector. The initiative builds on the success of its inaugural edition, which was held during Canadian Waterpower Week 2025.

Submissions for the 2026 competition are due by May 31, 2026. The live final will take place during Canadian Waterpower Week national conference and trade show, taking place on October 28–30, 2026 in Ottawa.

Further details, including eligibility requirements and submission guidelines, are available through the Canadian Waterpower Week website.