columbia river basin

Environmental groups and others want to see hydropower operations changed to favor fish survival. Utility groups warn of problems for the power grid.

Northwest states, tribes and environmental groups are moving to restart litigation against the federal government over its hydroelectric dam operations in the Columbia River Basin that have harmed endangered native fish species.

A stopgap update to the 60-year-old Columbia River Treaty between the U.S. and Canada upends flood control and hydropower across the river basin.

Supplemental study will consider new data about dam breaching, which environmental advocates say would restore salmon, steelhead populations.

The U.S. government recently recognized the harm caused by the dams and has promised to work to restore salmon runs but tribal members doubt much will change.

Conservationists say salmon hatcheries on the Columbia River are harming wild fish populations and the species that need them for food.