Ecology is directed to aggressively pursue development of water supplies to benefit both instream and out-of-stream water uses through implementation of the Columbia River Basin Water Management Program.

OFFICE OF COLUMBIA RIVER: The Washington Department of Ecology’s Columbia River Basin Water Management Program has been reorganized under a new director. Ecology Director Jay Manning has announced that Derek Sandison will lead the department’s new “Office of Columbia River” to be headquartered in Wenatchee. Sandison will report directly to Manning under the new organizational structure, while maintaining a side-by-side relationship with the agency’s water resources program.  News Release

OVERVIEW: Learn more about why the Columbia River Program was established and what we are working to achieve.
 

2008 FUNDING: Ecology announces funding for 18 projects designed to develop water supplies throughout Eastern Washington.

LAKE ROOSEVELT INCREMENTAL STORAGE RELEASES: 132,500 acre-feet of water available to supply water to the Odessa, for municipalities, drought and improved fisheries.  Water Decisions

ODESSA STUDY: Ecology is partnering with the Bureau of Reclamation to study how farms currently served by a declining groundwater aquifer can be supplied with water from the Columbia River.

ECOLOGY/CSRIA VRA:   Ecology and the Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association (CSRIA) have signed a Voluntary Regional Agreement (VRA). 

COLUMBIA RIVER POLICY ADVISORY GROUP: The Columbia River Policy Advisory Group (PAG) helps Ecology identify and evaluate policy issues.

GRANT PROGRAM: Ecology runs an annual grant program for the Columbia River Basin Water Management Program.

POTHOLES SUPPLEMENTAL FEED ROUTE: Ecology and the Bureau of Reclamation are working together to move additional water to Potholes Reservoir.

STORAGE OPTIONS:   Learn more about the  June 2007 evaluation of  storage opportunities in the Columbia River Basin. Supplemental Draft EIS

ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE REPORT:  The Columbia River Basin Water Supply Inventory Report is now available for download. 2008 Report

COLUMBIA RIVER MAINSTEM WATER RESOURCES INFORMATION SYSTEM: This interactive map allows users to access water resources related information.