The Columbia River Treaty – Columbia Basin Tribes' Perspective

Modernizing the Columbia River Treaty offers an opportunity to include Ecosystem-based Function as an equal purpose with coordinated power generation and flood risk management. Ecosystem integration involves more stable water levels in reservoirs and more natural river flows, particularly in drier water years. A critical component of ecosystem integration is the reintroduction of salmon to historical habitat above U.S. and Canadian dams. Restoring access to these cooler water habitats is critically important for salmon viability in the face of climate change.

Columbia Basin reservoir management has detrimentally-diminished natural flow regimes for fish and their habitats. Without revisions to the Treaty, flood control will change after 2024. U.S. reservoirs will be drafted deeper before calling upon Canada for additional flood storage. These changes will degrade reservoir and river fish habitats and will reduce spring and summer flows to the detriment of salmon viability. Coordinated flood risk management with Canada after 2024 will prevent additional impacts to ecosystem function. The tribes believe a comprehensive regional flood risk management review will inform discussions with Canada. Reservoir operations should provide more stable water levels, enhanced spring and summer flows and restored estuary health by ensuring a more natural spring freshet and adequate flood protection.