Every five years, we examine water supply and demand in the Columbia River Basin, taking a 20 year look into the future of how water may be used across Eastern Washington. We're releasing a draft of the 2021 Columbia River Basin Long-Term Water Supply & Demand Forecast for public review and comment from June 2 through July 2. Online public meetings will be held on June 8 and 17. A final report will be submitted to the Legislature later this year.
The forecast assesses how environmental and economic changes, and human responses impact water resources (supply), and in turn seeks to predict future water demands in light of these changes. Legislators, water managers, and the Office of Columbia River (OCR) use the forecast to plan for how to meet water needs, based on conditions that will likely be quite different from those we have experienced in the past.
The forecast is one tool used to decide where to invest in water supply projects that have the greatest chance to meet demands and improve flows for fish under future conditions, as well as a range of other planning and water management actions.
Seeking comments
We are seeking comments on a draft version of the 2021 Columbia River Basin Long-Term Water Supply & Demand Forecast. The comment period runs from June 2, 2021 through July 2, 2021.
Online public meetings will be held on June 8 from 2:30-5:30 pm and June 17 from 8:30-11:30 am. Please register in advance.
Questions? Please contact Jennifer Stephens: Jennifer.Stephens@ecy.wa.gov, 509-575-2396