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Update on U.S. and Canada Columbia River Treaty negotiations

Update on U.S. and Canada Columbia River Treaty negotiations
(photo courtesy U.S. Department of State)

The parties negotiating the Columbia River Treaty are continuing to try to reach consensus as they move toward the 2024 date when the terms for flood control will change automatically.

Earlier this month, the U.S. and Canada held the 17th round of negotiations since the May 2018 start of negotiations. The two delegations discussed “managing the following issues: flood risks after the Treaty regime changes in September 2024, planning for Treaty hydropower operations, integrating Canada’s desire for greater flexibility to Treaty dam operations, mechanisms for incorporating Tribal and Indigenous input into Treaty operations, and opportunities to strengthen Treaty ecosystem provisions and collaborate on ongoing salmon reintroduction studies.” Click here to access the virtual listening session after this latest round of negotiations.

The treaty was signed in 1961 to provide a framework for the U.S. and Canada to coordinate water storage, flood control and hydroelectric power generation in the Columbia River Basin. The river’s headwater originate in British Columbia, but only about 15% of the square mileage of the river basin is in Canada. At the same time, Canadian waters account for about 38% of the average annual volume and up to 50% of the peak flood waters that flow by The Dalles Dam between Oregon and Washington.

According to the U.S. Department of State, which leads the U.S. negotiating team, the countries are “working together to develop a modernized treaty regime that serves the people of the Columbia River Basin on both sides of the border, including members of several Tribal and Indigenous Nations.” The State Department said its discussions with Canada focus on water flowing across the border, from Canadian treaty projects Keenleyside (or Arrow), Duncan and Mica and U.S. project Libby Dam.

Unless the treaty is terminated, most of the provisions continue indefinitely, but the terms for flood control will change automatically at the Sept. 16, 2024, expiration.

On May 19, Global Affairs Canada – the government department that manages the country’s diplomatic and consular relations, promotes Canadian international trade, and leads international development and humanitarian assistance — issued a statement:

“The negotiations continue to focus on flood risk management, power coordination and ecosystem priorities. Along with modernizing flood risk management and power coordination, Canada continues to prioritize domestic ecosystems, the introduction of Indigenous cultural values and salmon re-introduction measures, all issues of critical importance to Indigenous nations and other communities in the Columbia River Basin. The parties will continue to hold discussions over the coming months.”

The next negotiation session will take place in June.