The United States and Canada began negotiations to modernize the Columbia River Treaty regime in May 2018.
The Columbia River’s drainage basin is roughly the size of Texas and includes parts of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, and British Columbia. The Treaty’s hydropower operations and management of flood risk provide substantial benefits to millions of people on both sides of the border. The Treaty also has facilitated additional benefits such as supporting irrigation, municipal water use, industrial use, navigation, and recreation. Treaty-related agreements also allow for flow augmentation for ecosystem benefits.
History and Background
Signed in 1961, the Columbia River Treaty calls for two “entities” to be designated to implement arrangements under the Treaty — a U.S. Entity and a Canadian Entity. The U.S. Entity, designated by the President , consists of the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration (chair) and the Northwestern Division Engineer (member) of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers . The Canadian Entity, appointed by the Canadian Federal Cabinet, is the British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (B.C. Hydro ).
The year 2024 is a significant date for the Treaty, as the current flood risk management provisions change to a less-defined approach. In addition, it is the earliest date at which the Treaty can be terminated, provided that either Canada or the United States provides ten years’ written notice.
The U.S. Entity forwarded its recommendation concerning the future of the Columbia River Treaty with Canada to the U.S. Department of State on December 13, 2013. Known as the “Regional Recommendation,” the U.S. Entity developed this recommendation in collaboration and consultation with the region through an extensive, multi-year Columbia River Treaty Review. The constructive involvement of the region’s states, federally recognized tribes, and hundreds of stakeholders helped the U.S. Entity reach this important milestone. With the conclusion of the Regional Recommendation process, the U.S. government conducted a review concerning the post-2024 future of the Treaty. (See also the cover letter sent to the U.S. Department of State regarding the Regional Recommendation.)
Pressing Forward
The U.S. Department of State is now leading the effort to negotiate with Canada to modernize the Treaty regime. Our key objectives include continued, careful management of flood risk; ensuring a reliable and economical power supply; and improving the ecosystem in a modernized Treaty regime.
As part of this effort, the U.S. Department of State will hold public town halls to provide updates on the modernization process. Our discussions with Canada are focused on water flowing across the border, namely from the Canadian Treaty projects—Keenleyside (also known as Arrow), Duncan and Mica dams—and from Libby Dam in the United States. These projects together are collectively known as the “Treaty Projects.”
Public Inquiries
Should you wish to submit feedback on the Treaty modernization effort and receive announcements regarding upcoming town halls, please send us an email at ColumbiaRiverTreaty@state.gov.
Press Inquiries
For requests for interviews or on-the-record comments, please email WHAPress@state.gov.
Remarks and Background Material
10/10/18 A Conversation with Columbia River Treaty Chief Negotiator Jill Smail
09/06/18 Chief Negotiator Jill Smail’s Remarks at the 2nd Columbia River Treaty Town Hall
09/06/18 The Columbia River Treaty: Past, Present, and Future [2 MB]
Press Releases
03/21/2020 Conclusion of the Ninth Round of the Columbia River Treaty Negotiations
11/22/2019 Town Hall to Discuss Modernization of the Columbia River Treaty Regime
11/13/2019 Postponement of the Ninth Round of Negotiations to Modernize the Columbia River Treaty Regime
9/12/2019 Conclusion of the Eighth Round of Negotiations to Modernize the Columbia River Treaty Regime
7/18/2019 For those unable to join the Town Hall in-person, a webcast will be available at: Idaho in Session (a link will be available 24 hours prior to the start of the event.)
07/03/19 Town Hall To Discuss Modernization of the Columbia River Treaty Regime
06/24/19 Conclusion of the Seventh Round of Negotiations to Modernize the Columbia River Treaty Regime
04/12/19 Conclusion of the Sixth Round of Negotiations To Modernize the Columbia River Treaty Regime
03/01/19 Conclusion of the Fifth Round of Negotiations To Modernize the Columbia River Treaty Regime
02/27/19 Town Hall To Discuss Modernization of the Columbia River Treaty Regime
12/14/18 Conclusion of the Fourth Round of Negotiations To Modernize the Columbia River Treaty Regime
10/19/18 Conclusion of the Third Round of Negotiations To Modernize the Columbia River Treaty Regime
08/17/18 Conclusion of the Second Round of Negotiations To Modernize the Columbia River Treaty Regime
07/18/18 Town Hall To Discuss Modernization of the Columbia River Treaty Regime
05/30/18 On the Opening of Negotiations To Modernize the Columbia River Treaty Regime
05/22/18 Launching Negotiations to Modernize the Columbia River Treaty Regime
04/23/18 Acting Assistant Secretary Palmieri To Deliver Keynote Speech at the Lake Roosevelt Forum
04/10/18 Town Hall on Modernizing the Columbia River Treaty Regime
12/07/17 Modernizing the Columbia River Treaty Regime
