Judge orders changes to Columbia and Snake River dam operations to aid salmon

A federal judge ordered narrowly tailored changes to dam operations on the Columbia and Snake rivers, keeping reservoir levels at last year's heights and setting spill levels the judge said are consistent with recent practice; the long-running litigation over river operations continues and next steps are undetermined at this time.

The court issued an order addressing how several dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers are operated, focusing on reservoir heights and spill amounts. The move comes after decades of litigation by states, tribes and conservation groups seeking stronger protections for migrating salmon. Federal agencies opposed some of the proposed changes, saying they could affect power, navigation and irrigation. The broader legal fight resumed after a prior settlement was set aside. Key points: - The judge ordered that reservoir levels remain at the same heights as last year and set spill levels described as maintaining recent practice. - Plaintiffs included Oregon, Washington, the Nez Perce Tribe, the Yakama Nation and a coalition of conservation and fishing groups who sought lower reservoirs and increased spill to assist salmon migration. - Federal defendants argued the plaintiffs' proposals would compromise dam operations for power generation, navigation and irrigation and raised concerns about safety and costs. - The litigation has been ongoing for decades and the next legal steps are undetermined at this time. Summary: The order makes narrowly tailored operational adjustments that the judge said largely preserve recent dam practices while addressing plaintiffs' concerns about salmon. The federal government expressed objections about impacts on other river uses. Undetermined at this time.