Methods and compositions for treating aqueous fluids that may be included in treatment fluids that are used for treating a subterranean formation. In some embodiments, the methods include: providing a water-based friction reducing additive that includes an aqueous base fluid, a salt, a first friction reducing polymer, and a suspension agent; introducing the water-based friction reducing additive into a treatment fluid; and introducing the treatment fluid into a wellbore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create or enhance one or more fractures within the subterranean formation.