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The Columbia River Treaty

Management of water values within the Canadian Columbia Basin is driven by a wide array of laws, regulations, policies and international obligations. One major international agreement which heavily influences the management of Columbia River flows in Canada is the Columbia River Treaty (CRT).

In 1964, Canada and the United States ratified the CRT. Its primary purpose is to provide flood control protection and optimize electrical energy production on the Columbia River system in both countries. Under the CRT, Canada agreed to build three storage dams: Duncan Dam at the north end of Kootenay Lake (1968); Hugh Keenleyside at Castlegar (1969); and Mica north of Revelstoke (1973) in exchange for a share of downstream (U.S.) flood control and power benefits. A fourth dam, the Libby dam in Montana, was built under the CRT and its reservoir backs up into Canada. The dams created the Duncan, Arrow Lakes, Kinbasket, and Koocanusa reservoirs. About 2,300 residents were displaced in the Basin to make way for the reservoirs, which provide flood protection to several B.C. communities and reliable hydropower to B.C. residents.

The CRT does not expire, but it may be terminated no earlier than 2024, given at least 10 years advance notice (2014) by either Canada or the United States.

Find out more about the Columbia River Treaty. Read the CCRF’s plain-language summary of the Columbia River Treaty Structure and Content (PDF 0.9MB)