Climate Change & FCRPS

The 2013 climate change research study, which was principally funded by BPA’s Technology and Innovation Office and other federal and state agencies, advanced the state-of-the-science in hydroclimate prediction, and projected hydrological effects of climate change across the region.   

Part I (2018) focused on hydroclimate variables such as projected temperature, precipitation, snowpack and streamflow changes in the Columbia River Basin, and for many river basins in western Oregon and Washington, through the rest of the 21st century. Part II (2020) followed on Part I studies with a focus on current reservoir regulation. Flows produced for Part I were modified for evapotranspiration and irrigation depletions and input into hydro-regulation models. The response of regulated streamflow to climate change under existing Columbia River hydro-regulation procedures were evaluated and summarized in report Part II. Interrelated reservoir modeling was conducted by BPA, Reclamation, and the Corps of Engineers. The monthly regulated streamflow datasets developed by the Corps are available for download. Modeling data from Reclamation and BPA are available upon request. Send inquires to Reclamation at pninfo@usbr.gov and to BPA at communications@bpa.gov.

Climate Change Resiliency

• Climate Change Update to the Long-Term Hydro Generation Forecast Letter
  
  

April 18, 2022 Workshop Materials

• Presentation
• Proposed Rate Impacts
• BPA Response to Questions
• Generation Data for historical 90 vs. recent 30 vs. RMJOC-II streamflows
• Climate Change Analysis: Secondary/Firm calculation
  

March 21, 2022 Workshop Materials

• Fact Sheet - Preparing for a resilient Columbia River hydropower system 
• Proposed Update to Long-term Hydro Generation Forecast

Climate Change Study (2018-2020)

• Part I: Hydroclimate Projections and Analyses
• Part II: Reservoir Regulation and Operations - Modeling and Analyses

Climate Change Study (2009-2011)

• Final Climate Change Summary Report (Sept. 16, 2011)

The comment period is now closed. Read submitted comments on the Public Comment webpage.

Climate and Hydrology Datasets for use in the RMJOC Agencies’ Longer-Term Planning Studies:

• Part I – Future Climate and Hydrology Datasets (finalized in Dec. 2010)
• Part II – Reservoir Operations Assessment for Reclamation Tributary Basins (finalized in Jan. 2011)
• Part III – Reservoir Operations Assessment: Columbia Basin Flood Control and Hydropower (finalized in May 2011)