Highlights: Water Monitoring and Climate Change in the Upper Columbia Basin

Highlights of the report are summarized here, including information about the Basin’s hydrologic regions and water resources, the current status of water monitoring and future opportunities, and the impacts of current and projected climate changes on Basin water resources. [...] In this century, the consequences of these changes may be greater in warmer and drier parts of the Basin, and less pronounced in cooler and wetter areas. [...] The construction of 19 dams and reservoirs for flood control and hydropower generation in the 20th century flooded rivers and lakes, wetlands and forests, causing landscape-level changes in the Columbia and Kootenay river valleys. [...] Human settlements, industry, mining and agriculture are the main sources of contamination to Basin water bodies, the levels of which have declined significantly over the decades as a result of improved pollution control and stricter regulations. [...] Aerial view of Golden and Kicking Horse River COLUMBIA BASIN TRUST ourtrust.org 7 Snapshot of the Basin’s Water Resources Glaciers and Snow Snow and ice provide natural water storage and contribute to the Basin’s water supply during warmer periods.