The Columbia River Treaty - Past, Present, and Future Overview

The Columbia River Treaty, implemented by the United States and Canada in 1964, focuses on flood control and hydropower generation benefits in both countries resulting from the construction of three Canadian storage dams.  The Treaty contains two important provisions that take effect on and after September 16, 2024.  These provisions could change the operation of the Treaty storage and have a large impact for the future. 

The U.S. Entity conducted a Columbia River Treaty 2014/2024 Review process that was initiated in 2008 through joint studies between the U.S. and Canadian Entities. Over the next six years, the process would grow to convene four northwest states, 15 tribal governments and 11 federal agencies as the Sovereign Review Team.

The Review led to the delivery of the U.S. Entity Regional Recommendation for the Future of the Columbia River Treaty after 2024 to the U.S. Department of State in December 2013; calling for a modernization of the Treaty.  Among other things, the Recommendation includes the addition of ecosystem-based function to the existing Treaty objectives, studies to consider the feasibility of reintroducing anadromous fish runs into Canada, and potential use of Treaty storage in Canada to meet U.S. future water supply needs.