Columbia River Basin Water Management

This is the home page for the Columbia Basin Water Management Division, Northwestern Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. We are responsible for river and reservoir regulation activities in the Columbia River Basin for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Please click the icons on the map to learn more about the various projects in the Columbia Basin.

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Call: 503-808-4817

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US Bureau of Reclamation

US Geological Survey

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Snow Data

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Canada

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Pacific Northwest Dams

Columbia River - Latest News

Summer recreational lock schedule now in effect on Columbia River

Portland District Published June 3, 2026
Recreational boaters navigating the three lower Columbia River dams—Bonneville, The Dalles, and John Day—now have expanded access to pass through the navigation locks for the summer season.
New 20-year plan finalized to manage Columbia River dredged material

Portland District Published June 2, 2026
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, has finalized a 20-year plan to maintain the lower Columbia River’s deep-draft navigation channel, a critical artery for the nation’s economy.
Water managers monitor upper-elevation rain that could cause local flooding

Northwestern Division Published June 2, 2026
Pacific Northwest weather can be a conundrum. In 2026, many parts of the region struggled to build snowpack and saw minimal precipitation. However, even average snowpack combined with storm events can lead to elevated stream flows, as the Flathead Basin in western Montana saw this week.
Spring fish operations begin on Snake, Columbia rivers

Columbia River Water Management Division Published April 8, 2026
Spring fish passage operations began April 3 at federal dams on the lower Snake River and will begin April 10 on the lower Columbia River.
Columbia River locks shut down for annual maintenance

Portland District Published Feb. 27, 2026
The Columbia-Snake River System, a critical trade corridor supporting $24 billion in commerce annually, will pause operations for two weeks beginning March 1, as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Portland District, conducts its annual navigation lock maintenance.
Federal review clears navigation improvements near Longview and Kalama

Portland District Published Feb. 19, 2026
A federal environmental review has cleared the way for navigation improvements on the lower Columbia River aimed at reducing ship delays and improving safety near the ports of Longview and Kalama, Washington.
Federal water managers take precautions by adjusting water levels behind John Day dam as precipitation mounts

Northwestern Division Published Dec. 17, 2025
Federal water managers at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will adjust water levels behind John Day Dam (Lake Umatilla), in north-central Oregon, this week to prepare for another round of heavy precipitation in the Columbia River Basin. This will be the third atmospheric river storm event within the last two weeks.
Hydropower helps feed Thanksgiving feasts

By Tom Conning Northwestern Division Published Nov. 24, 2025
This Thursday, people across the Pacific Northwest will use ovens to bake turkeys, air fryers to crisp vegetables, mixers to fluff mashed potatoes and OLED televisions to gawk at parades and sportsball. Likely, many people are grateful for the conveniences that make Thanksgiving preparations and entertainment relatively easy and enjoyable. However, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers humbly recommends giving appreciation for consistent, affordable and easily dispatchable hydropower (of course, USACE would suggest that).
Heat wave spikes temps and hydropower demand

Northwestern Division Published Aug. 12, 2025
With regional temperatures spiking during this week’s heat wave, the demand for electricity follows. As people turn on fans, air conditioners and other cooling devices, power providers rely on hydropower because dams can bring turbines on quickly, to add immediate supply and provide grid stability.

Columbia River Basin News and Features

Summer recreational lock schedule now in effect on Columbia River

Portland District

6/3/2026

Recreational boaters navigating the three lower Columbia River dams—Bonneville, The Dalles, and John Day—now have expanded access to pass through the navigation locks for the summer season...

New 20-year plan finalized to manage Columbia River dredged material

Portland District

6/2/2026

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, has finalized a 20-year plan to maintain the lower Columbia River’s deep-draft navigation channel, a critical artery for the nation’s economy...

Water managers monitor upper-elevation rain that could cause local flooding

Northwestern Division

6/2/2026

Pacific Northwest weather can be a conundrum. In 2026, many parts of the region struggled to build snowpack and saw minimal precipitation. However, even average snowpack combined with storm events can...

Spring fish operations begin on Snake, Columbia rivers

Columbia River Water Management Division

4/8/2026

Spring fish passage operations began April 3 at federal dams on the lower Snake River and will begin April 10 on the lower Columbia River...

USACE officials advise boaters to expect earlier high water levels in Lakes Washington and Union

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District

4/1/2026

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials advise private and commercial interests along Lake Washington Ship Canal and in Lakes Washington and Union to expect earlier high water than in previous years...

Ensemble Streamflow Prediction Traces

The Seattle District Water Management uses Ensemble Streamflow Prediction (ESP) "traces" developed by the National Weather Service, Northwest River Forecast Center to inform operational decisions one to six months in advance in the Kootenai and Pend Oreille Basins.

The ESP program uses current hydrologic basin conditions (e.g. soil moisture, snowpack, etc.) in a physically-based basin model. Historical precipitation and temperature sequences are applied to this model, and the model generates a group of possible future streamflow sequences (“traces”).

The ESP sets do not predict the exact reservoir elevation or flow that will occur at a given date in the future, but rather give a range of elevations or flows that may occur. Operational projections incorporate estimated biological and flood risk management operations that are required at Libby and Albeni Falls Dams.

Ensemble Streamflow Prediction Traces

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