The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) presents the 2005 River Operations Plan (ROP) for the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS), the Hells Canyon Complex and mid-Columbia FERC-licensed hydro-projects including Rock Island, Rocky Reach, Wanapum and Priest Rapids. The ROP is a detailed extension of the mainstem recommendations from the CRITFC tribes’ Columbia River Anadromous Fish Restoration Plan, Wy-Kan-Ush-Mi Wa-Kish-Wit (Spirit of the Salmon; Nez Perce et al. 1995). The ROP outlines dam and reservoir operations consistent with the aggressive, non-breach alternative offered by the federal government in the 2000 FCRPS Biological Opinion.

The ROP contains recommendations for water management and dam operations, including flows, reservoir elevations, spill, and fish facility operations. Further, the ROP contains recommendations for water acquisition. Each of the recommended actions will contribute singularly and cumulatively to increase mainstem anadromous fish protection and survival. This is important because another poor runoff year is occurring in 2005. Current runoff rates in the Snake River are equivalent to those in 2001
while upper Columbia runoff forecast rates are similar to 1992 at 93-99% of normal, and are still dropping. Given the severe water conditions, this Plan attempts to “spread the pain” of water shortages equitably among the various river demands.

The Northwest River Forecast Center-National Weather Service estimates a 2005 March mid-month water supply forecast (January through July) of 67.7 MaF (63% of normal) at The Dalles, which compares to a 2001 final water runoff of 58.2 MaF at The Dalles (Table 1). The March final forecast has dropped 12 MaF from the February final forecast. The worst water year on record was 1977 with a runoff of 53.8 MaF (50% of normal).