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Key Issues

The Columbia River Basin in Canada and the United States crosses one international boundary and seven state boundaries. Ecosystem and water management issues transcend these geo-political boundaries and addressing transboundary issues is complicated by varying federal, provincial and state jurisdictions.

Some issues are local, regional or provincial in nature and may be addressed through existing or new processes within Canada. Other issues may only be addressed through a willingness to enter into transboundary cooperative and co-management arrangements with the United States.

Following is a summary of existing and emerging water management issues facing the Canadian Columbia Basin.

Fish & Wildlife

  • Impact of reservoir operations on fish species (including but not limited to sturgeon, salmon and resident fish)
  • Impacts on freshwater fish from development pressure, mining, transportation infrastructure, foreshore development, and introduction of exotic species
  • Riparian vegetation
  • Habitat impacts

Watersheds

  • Domestic watershed issues (land use conflicts)
  • Drinking water protection
  • Regional population, tourism growth and impacts on water supply and quality

Recreation

  • Reservoir access
  • Conflicts with other users
  • Shoreline aesthetics

Water Quality

  • Dissolved gas concentrations which are high and harmful to fish
  • Impacts from industrial use developments
  • Point source issues: industrial and municipal effluent
  • Non-point source issues: urban growth, agriculture, forestry

Hydro Power & Flood Control

  • Meeting growing electricity demand with clean sources
  • Managing flood risk in Canada and downstream in the U.S.
  • Increasing pressures to manage the system for a range of values

First Nations' Values

  • Salmon restoration
  • Implications of asserted aboriginal title and rights

Climate Change

  • Uncertainties and information gaps
  • Changes to snowpack, temperatures and precipitation patterns
  • Potential impacts and adaptation activities

United States – Expectations & Needs

  • Perceived increase in conflicts between various water uses (fish, power, recreation, municipal, agriculture, etc.)
  • Potentially increasing expectation that such conflicts can be resolved by altered upstream storage and regulation.