SEATTLE (AP) — The U.S. and Canada have reached an agreement to update the Columbia River Treaty, a six-decade-old treaty that governs one of North America’s largest rivers. The agreement includes provisions for flood control, irrigation, and hydropower generation and sharing between the two countries.
This “agreement in principle,” which comes after six years of negotiations, outlines a framework for updating the Columbia River Treaty. It stipulates that the U.S. will retain more of the power generated by its dams while enhancing cooperation between the Bonneville Power Administration and Canadian utilities to prevent blackouts.
Under the agreement, the U.S. will compensate Canada for reservoir capacity to mitigate flooding during seasons of high water flow, protecting downstream communities at a starting rate of $37.6 million annually, increasing with inflation. Additionally, Canada will have more flexibility in utilizing the water stored in its reservoirs.
President Joe Biden stated, “After 60 years, the Treaty needs updating to reflect our changing climate and the evolving needs of communities that rely on this essential waterway.”
However, environmental groups expressed disappointment, believing the agreement missed an opportunity to allocate more water for imperiled salmon and steelhead populations that have suffered due to dam operations in the Columbia River basin. Conservationists and Indigenous tribes have long advocated for river health and salmon restoration to be incorporated as key principles in the updated treaty.
The Columbia River Treaty was initiated after a devastating flood in 1948 washed away the Oregon community of Vanport, rendering over 18,000 people homeless. It resulted in the construction of dams in both the U.S. and Canada, significantly increasing reservoir storage for flood prevention and hydropower generation. While the treaty has benefited flood control and energy production, concerns remain regarding its impact on salmon migration and river health.
The agreement announced on Thursday includes provisions for the U.S. to reduce the amount of hydropower it delivers to Canada, with significant cuts by 2033. This move is expected to save the Bonneville Power Administration millions of dollars and help meet the region’s energy demands sustainably.
Negotiators will finalize the details before submitting the treaty to the U.S. Senate for ratification. Indigenous tribes will play a vital role in ensuring that the treaty operations align with ecosystem needs and cultural values.
Chief Keith Crow of the Syilx Okanagan Nation expressed hope that the agreement would pave the way for future generations to harvest salmon in the region. However, there is still much work to be done to address the lasting impacts on lands, waters, and people affected by the treaty.
The agreement also addresses water releases by Canada to support juvenile salmon migration, with provisions for additional water in dry years. While some improvements have been made, advocates stress that further actions are needed to protect and restore salmon populations in the Columbia River basin.
Neil Brandt, executive director of WaterWatch of Oregon, emphasized the urgent need for a modernized treaty that prioritizes salmon conservation. He stated, “Salmon have suffered tremendous losses through the industrialization of the Columbia Basin’s rivers, in part, as a result of this Treaty. A modernized Treaty must do better for salmon.”
