W-118-10
The Columbia River Treaty – Columbia Basin Tribes' Perspective, Part 2
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.