Northwest Power and Conservation Council

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Established to inform and advance a regional vision for power and fish & wildlife in the Columbia Basin

Featured News

May 30, 2025

Spring snowpack was near normal in parts of the Columbia River Basin, but melted quickly

At May’s Council meeting in Pasco, Wash., the Council listened to a briefing by Amy Burke, Senior Hydrologist for the Northwest River Forecast Center, on the snowpack that built up in the Columbia River Basin this past winter and how it would affect the water supply for the upcoming seasons.

May 30, 2025

Overview of cold water refugia efforts in mainstem Columbia

Actions to improve cold water refugia continue in multiple tributaries, including on the Wind, White Salmon, Klickitat, Umatilla, and Walla Walla.

May 02, 2025

Council releases initial 20-year forecast for Pacific Northwest electricity demand

On April 29, the Power Division staff released a new initial forecast showing a range of potential electricity demand growth in the Pacific Northwest over the next two decades. Senior Energy Forecasting Analyst Steve Simmons, Senior Power Analyst Tomás Morrissey, and Power System Analyst Jake Kennedy led a presentation on the forecast during an online meeting of the Council.

Apr 18, 2025

Annual update on ocean conditions predicts average adult returns for 2025/2026

NOAA’s 2024 ‘Stoplight’ report shows mixed signals, average forecasted adult returns for salmon and steelhead.

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Power Planning

The Council works with regional partners to plan for the addition of the lowest-cost conservation and generation resources to the existing power system, so that the region continues to enjoy an adequate, efficient, economical, reliable power supply.

About Power Planning

Fish & Wildlife Program

The Council works with regional partners through its Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program to protect, mitigate and enhance salmon and other fish and wildlife affect by the hydroelectric dams on the Columbia and its tributaries.

About the Program

Integrating energy and the environment in the Columbia River Basin

See what the Council is up to.

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The Council works to protect and enhance fish and wildlife in the Columbia River Basin. Its Fish & Wildlife Program guides project funding by the Bonneville Power Administration.

The Fish and Wildlife Program

Independent Review Groups

Forums and Workgroups

Topics

The Council develops a plan, updated every five years, to assure the Pacific Northwest of an adequate, efficient, economical, and reliable power supply.

The Northwest Power Plan

Technical tools and models

Advisory Committees

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Recent and Upcoming Meetings

Browse reports and documents relevant to the Council's work on fish and wildlife and energy planning, as well as administrative reports.

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COLUMBIA RIVER HISTORY PROJECT