There's never been a better time to Buy BC and support local growers, producers and the food we love right here in BC.  Explore Buy BC products
Government of B.C. Government of B.C. Government of B.C. Government of B.C. BC Gov News
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Live Webcast
  • News  
  • News  
  • By Ministry
    • Office of the Premier
    • Agriculture and Food
    • Attorney General
    • Children and Family Development
    • Citizens' Services
    • Education and Child Care
    • Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
    • Energy and Climate Solutions
    • Environment and Parks
    • Finance
    • Forests
    • Health
    • Housing and Municipal Affairs
    • Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
    • Infrastructure
    • Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat
    • Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
    • Labour
    • Mining and Critical Minerals
    • Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
    • Public Safety and Solicitor General
    • Social Development and Poverty Reduction
    • Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
    • Transportation and Transit
    • Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
  • Subscribe
Live Webcast
By Ministry
  • Office of the Premier
  • Agriculture and Food
  • Attorney General
  • Children and Family Development
  • Citizens' Services
  • Education and Child Care
  • Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
  • Energy and Climate Solutions
  • Environment and Parks
  • Finance
  • Forests
  • Health
  • Housing and Municipal Affairs
  • Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
  • Infrastructure
  • Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat
  • Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
  • Labour
  • Mining and Critical Minerals
  • Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
  • Public Safety and Solicitor General
  • Social Development and Poverty Reduction
  • Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
  • Transportation and Transit
  • Water, Land and Resource Stewardship

Energy and Climate Solutions

Arrow Lakes impacts top of mind in Columbia River Treaty negotiations

Share

More from this Ministry
Honourable Adrian Dix

Honourable Adrian Dix

Honourable Adrian Dix

Read Bio

Contact

Email: EMLI.minister@gov.bc.ca

close menu Energy and Climate Solutions

B.C. makes heat pumps more affordable for people with low incomes

April 9, 2025 12:30 PM
Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions
The Province is making electric heat pumps more affordable for low- and moderate-income households, including renters and those who live in multi-unit residential buildings.
  Read More

B.C. eliminates carbon tax

March 31, 2025 11:00 AM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Print

Energy and Climate Solutions

British Columbia News

Arrow Lakes impacts top of mind in Columbia River Treaty negotiations

https://news.gov.bc.ca/29543

Share

Opinion-Editorial

Monday, September 18, 2023 4:37 PM

Share

Opinion-Editorial

Monday, September 18, 2023 4:37 PM

More from this Ministry

  • Factsheets
  • Ministry Website
  • Ministry Photos
  • Ministry Videos

Featured Topics

  • CleanBC
  • Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy
  • Climate Accountability
  • Carbon Pricing

Featured Services

  • B.C. Output-Based Pricing System
  • B.C. Provincial Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  • CleanBC Industry Fund

By Kathy Eichenberger
Executive director, Columbia River Treaty, and B.C. lead, Canadian Negotiation Delegation
775 words

As British Columbia’s lead in negotiations with the United States to modernize the Columbia River Treaty, I would like to comment on the difficult conditions in the Arrow Lakes Reservoir this year.

My perspective comes from having lived in the West Kootenay for 10 years, assuming several provincial environmental roles in the region and, for the past 12 years, as executive director of the Provincial Columbia River Treaty team, working to create a modern treaty that better reflects the needs and interests of the B.C. Columbia Basin.

For the past five years, the Canadian negotiating team, which includes representatives of B.C., Global Affairs Canada, the Ktunaxa, Secwépemc and Syilx Okanagan Nations, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, has been meeting with the U.S. delegation to significantly improve on the current Columbia River Treaty that was established 60 years ago. It is behind the times and in need of renewal. It’s worth noting that these cross-border discussions are non-partisan, and there are no elected officials at the negotiating table.

The Canadian negotiation delegation is acutely aware of the low water levels on Arrow Lakes Reservoir this year and the devastating impact this is having on communities, wildlife habitat, fish populations, tourism and recreation. I have spent much time around this beautiful area and can appreciate how hard it is for residents to experience this devastation. We have seen photos and read personal accounts of stranded and dead fish, exposed debris, drawn-down beaches, marooned boats and more, and we have shared this with our U.S. counterparts so they may have a clearer understanding of our positions.

I know people have heard that there are two main factors affecting water levels this summer. One is the lack of snowmelt and rain due to drought conditions since last fall that has significantly reduced the amount of water flowing into Arrow Lakes Reservoir. The second is that the Columbia River Treaty requires B.C. to provide a certain volume of water to the United States at specific times of the year for flood-risk management purposes and downstream hydropower generation. This last requirement being the factor that contributed to the severe drafting (water moving out of the reservoir) this summer. This is all the more painful when we observe high water levels just across the border.

While we can’t control the weather or stop the drought, we are strongly advocating for improvements in the treaty to reduce these types of impacts in the future.

Those who have been following this process will know that a key goal for the Canadian negotiating team is to gain additional flexibility for how B.C. may unilaterally operate its treaty dams (the Hugh L. Keenleyside, Duncan and Mica dams). This would allow us to adjust operations to support ecosystems, Indigenous cultural values, and socio-economic interests, such as recreation and tourism. There is significant research and river management scenario modelling underway, led by the Ktunaxa, Secwépemc and Syilx Okanagan Nations and including local governments, that is informing how best to use our new flexibility. Part of that research includes looking at minimum elevations, particularly during the summer months, on Arrow Lakes Reservoir.

Unfortunately, this won’t change the situation this year. Until a modernized Columbia River Treaty is in place, we must continue to meet our legal treaty requirements.

My provincial treaty team and I have been collaborating with the Ktunaxa, Secwépemc and Syilx Okanagan Nations and speaking with local governments and residents in the basin since 2012 to learn what changes people want to see. Those discussions in Nakusp, Fauquier, Burton, Castlegar, Trail, Revelstoke and other locations around Arrow Lakes have emphasized how the current Columbia River Treaty affects beach and boating access, tourism draw, businesses and the region’s critical ecosystems. All the input we have received (and continue to receive) is guiding our efforts to ensure a modernized treaty truly reflects what we have heard. Before any agreement is finalized, we will come back to the people of the basin again to explain what is being proposed and seek feedback.

I understand how frustrating it is to know things cannot change immediately, but I want to make it clear that the Canadian negotiating team is doing everything it can to ensure a modernized treaty better supports the people, communities and ecosystems of the basin and mitigates situations like the one we are seeing at Arrow Lakes Reservoir in the future.

There is much more information available about the Columbia River Treaty and our work on the Province of B.C. Columbia River Treaty website at https://engage.gov.bc.ca/columbiarivertreaty
My team and I encourage you to send us any questions or comments by emailing us at columbiarivertreaty@gov.bc.ca.

https://news.gov.bc.ca/29543

Related Articles

B.C. makes heat pumps more affordable for people with low incomes

April 9, 2025 12:30 PM

B.C. eliminates carbon tax

March 31, 2025 11:00 AM

CleanBC review launched to strengthen climate action, results for people

May 7, 2025 12:30 PM
BC Gov News

Connect with the Ministry

Photos

View the Ministry's latest photos on Flickr.

Videos

Watch the Ministry's latest videos on YouTube.

The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.

Government of B.C. Government of B.C.

We can help in over 220 languages and through other accessible options.   Call, email or text us, or find a service centre.

Connect with Us

  • Subscribe
  • Social and RSS

More Info

  • BC Gov
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Government of British Columbia