Submitted by: Patricia Woodruff
While many people rely on the electricity produced by hydroelectric dams, little work has been done studying the reservoirs that are created by these facilities. I will use data from four B.C. reservoirs in the Columbia watershed to see how dam operation affects nutrient flow and fish populations within and between the reservoirs. My research will be used to examine how best to incorporate biodiversity and fisheries values in the operation of hydroelectric facilities, while adjusting to climate change and allowing for power generation. The results from this project will help inform the upcoming negotiations of the Columbia River Treaty.