Managing the Columbia River : instream flows, water withdrawals, and salmon survival / Committee on Water Resources Management, Instream Flows, and Salmon Survival in the Columbia River Basin, Water Science and Technology Board, Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology, Division on Earth and Life Studies, National Research Council of the National Academies.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

National Research Council (U.S.), Committee on Water Resources Management, Instream Flows, and Salmon Survival in the Columbia River Basin Staff, Corporate Author.

Contributor:

National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on Water Resources Management, Instream Flows, and Salmon Survival in the Columbia River Basin.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Water resources development--Columbia River Watershed.

Water resources development.

Water withdrawals--Columbia River Watershed.

Water withdrawals.

Pacific salmon--Columbia River.

Pacific salmon.

Fishes--Conservation--Columbia River.

Fishes.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (260 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : National Academies Press, c2004.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Flows of the Columbia River, although modified substantially during the twentieth century, still vary considerably between seasons and between years. Lowest flows tend to occur during summer months when demand for irrigation water is at its highest and when water temperatures are greatest. These periods of low flows, high demand, and high temperature are critical periods for juvenile salmon migrating downstream through the Columbia River hydropower system. Although impacts on salmon of any individual water withdrawal may be small, the cumulative effects of numerous withdrawals will affect Columbia River flows and would pose increased risks to salmon survival. The body of scientific knowledge explaining salmon migratory behavior and physiology is substantial, but imperfect, and decision makers should acknowledge this and be willing to take action in the face of uncertainties. In order to provide a more comprehensive water permitting process, the State of Washington, Canada, other basin states, and tribal groups should establish a basin-wide forum to consider future water withdrawal application permits. If the State of Washington issues additional permits for water withdrawals from the Columbia River, those permits should contain provisions that allow withdrawals to be curtailed during critical high-demand periods.

Contents:

""Front matter ""; ""COMMITTEE ON WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT, INSTREAM FLOWS, AND SALMON SURVIVAL IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN*""; ""Preface""; ""Contents""; ""Executive Summary""; ""1 Introduction""; ""2 Development and Changes in the Columbia River Basin""; ""3 Hydrology and Water Management""; ""4 Environmental Influences on Salmon""; ""5 Water Laws and Institutions""; ""6 Better Management of Existing Water Supplies""; ""7 Water Resources Management, Risks, and Uncertainties""; ""8 Epilogue""; ""References""; ""Appendix A Columbia River Initiative Draft Management Scenarios""

""Appendix B Resources Group""""Appendix C Calculations on Annual Discharges of Water from the Columbia Basin Project""; ""Appendix D Climate Change and Hydrological Impacts""; ""Appendix E Committee Biographical Information""; ""Appendix F National Research Council Board Membership and Staff""

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 203-220).

ISBN:

9786612084027

9780309166263

0309166268

9781282084025

128208402X

9780309530378

0309530377

OCLC:

923268891