Columbia River Treaty

In 1964, Canada and the United States ratified the Columbia River Treaty (CRT), a cross-boundary water management agreement. Created to address flood control and power generation, particularly in the U.S., the Treaty led to the construction of three dams on the Canadian side and one dam on the U.S. side.

Significant negative impacts arose from filling the reservoirs behind the four Treaty dams - Duncan, Hugh Keenleyside, Mica and Libby. Indigenous communities, cultural values and ecosystems were lost. Productive agricultural and forestry areas were flooded and removed from local economies, communities were displaced and wetland, avian, fish and wildlife habitats were damaged.

Negotiations began in 2018 to update and modernize the CRT. The CRT Local Governments Committee, as well as ongoing public consultation serve to inform the Canadian negotiating delegation. For more information on the status of Treaty negotiations visit: engage.gov.bc.ca/columbiarivertreaty/

Photo: Local students on a field trip to the Duncan Dam construction site, 1965. Courtesy of Nelson Museum, Archives and Gallery

Columbia River Treaty

​Additional Resources

Additional Resources