The United States and Canada have a longstanding relationship with managing one of North America’s most vital water systems: the Columbia River. Since it was signed more than 60 years ago, the Columbia River Treaty has helped Canada and the United States manage the river and its hydropower, floods, and water levels.

In July 2024, the incumbent President Joe Biden of the United States and the incumbent Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada agreed to come to an initial specific partnership to revise this deal to meet the new environmental and energy challenges of both nations. Despite all these improvements with this latest treaty, different reactions have come up, especially regarding the effects of such a treaty on ecosystems and communities.

Rebalancing hydropower generation to meet growing energy demands

The threat of flooding is a critical factor in the proposed development of the Columbia River Treaty update. The original treaty provided for the generation of substantial hydropower to the US, while Canada would receive power in return for agreeing to control floods and provide storage space. A sharp decrease in the energy delivered to Canada is planned with the shift of energy supply/effect balance between the two countries.

It is imperative to restore the energy balance, especially since the two countries share the Columbia River. Hydropower demand in the United States has been steadily increasing; this resource type accounts for 40 percent of hydropower resources in the country. This rebalancing seeks to balance the hydroelectric system to supply both countries’ growing energy needs for clean, renewable energy.

Washington Senator Maria Cantwell, who has been supporting the modernization of the treaty, argues that it is now time for the two countries to advance their clean energy generation in light of the increasing electricity demand.

Addressing environmental stewardship amid climate change threats

Another parameter of the updated treaty is also worthy of note. Since the agreement between the US and Canada pays a lot of attention to the fact that the two countries will take equal proportions regarding the production of hydro energy, it also focuses on the concerns of increased environmental conservation given the current menace posed by climate change and frequent floods.

Unfortunately, both countries have realized the need to regulate the Columbia River and its water systems in readiness for future environmental shocks. Of these, the betterment of floods forms part of the new treaty for change along the river that assists in reducing harm to the affected communities and ecosystem.

However, there is some concern with the treaty’s approach to environmental stewardship, including the well-being of the Columbia River and fish, including salmon populations. Fish are abundant in the river, and salmon is especially very important both to the environment and to the First Nations people currently and in the past. Opponents claim that the treaty is insufficient regarding the contemporary issues that the river and its inhabitants, such as fish, experience in connection with the dam systems.

Involving Indigenous communities in the Columbia River management

It has become an essential element of the new Columbia River Treaty. In the past, the treaty addressed aspects such as energy generation and flood management, among other things. Still, it did not capture the interest of indigenous populations who rely on the river for food, traditional purposes, and spirituality. The new agreement proposes an even more participatory approach to decision-making involving these communities, especially concerning the conservation of river resources.

The White House pointed out that the new treaty would require local tribes and communities to consult on water resources, the environment, and other issues that touch on cultural heritage. The Canadian indigenous parties are known to have been anxious about their participation in the management of the Columbia River, especially concerning fishery and water resource conservation. Even though this change in treaty is regarded as positive, there is little information on how efficiently positive partnerships will solve this problem among Indigenous people.

Thus, the recent decision of the US and Canada to make some changes to the Columbia River Treaty is beneficial as meeting the requirements of the present is a priority. For the Columbia River resources to meet future needs optimally, the treaty seeks to balance hydropower generation and improve on the river’s environmental concerns while incorporating community participation.

Nonetheless, two main concerns emerge regarding meeting energy demands and ecological conservation, primarily the state, health, and sustainability of the river and its salmon. Although the instrument updates provide an opportunity for more rational utilization of the Columbia River, its effectiveness will largely depend on the results of further cooperation between the two states, which considers the requirements of all the interested parties.