Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association Summary Briefing Memorandum
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Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association Summary Briefing Memorandum
DATE: Spring 2026 SUBJECT: John Day Pool and Columbia River ESA Litigation— Big $$$
John Day Pool, Columbia River System:
• The Pool is located behind John Day Dam and stretches east about 76 miles to the tailrace of McNary Dam. It allows for significant power, Navigation, and irrigation operations. Other environmental resources are created as well.
• The elevation( feet above sea level) allows for irrigation system access and stability, for about 40 separate pumping units( stations), serving about 400,000 acres, jointly along McNary and John Day Pools’ operations. The irrigation stations have been privately developed with privately held water rights.
• Technically, the Army Corps of Engineers designed Pool elevations for minimum operating pool( MOP-John Day Pool at 257 ft.), possibly reflecting the minimum capability for deep draft navigation( barges) through the McNary-John Day Locks.
• The Pool has never operated at MOP; it operates at elevation 262.5-264 ft. to ensure minimum irrigation pool( MIP) operations in both Oregon and Washington.
John Day Pool and ESA Enforcement Challenges:
• The John Day Pool has been in jeopardy of drawdowns to MOP since the mid-1990s, given ESA BiOp litigation and previous Northwest Power & Conservation Council proposed Fish & Wildlife Programs. Neither previous( on-going) litigation or F & W Programs have dropped the Pool below( MIP) elevation.
• The current threat emerged from the recent Trump Administration rescinding participation in the BiOp litigation( MOU-2024) settlement agreement, where a 5-10 year no action stay was approved by the Court, for continued review of potential economic sector impacts( like irrigation impacts, CSRIA. org). This provoked the Plaintiffs( state of Oregon, EarthJustice, Tribes) to renew more litigation. The Plaintiffs have reasserted full hydro system impacts, including dropping all hydro system pools to MOP. This action, they claim, is required if Lower Snake River dam breaching is eliminated from consideration via the Trump directive.
• The renewed preliminary injunction date required filings by December 15, 2025, with the Court( U. S. Federal Dist. Judge Michael Simon) making a ruling by mid-February 2026. Every expectation is that the Plaintiff’ s relief motion will be affirmed. There will be immediate measures put in place affecting hydro power operations, and design features to implement MOP at McNary and John Day Pools.
3030 W. Clearwater, Ste. 205-A, Kennewick, WA 99336 509-783-1326; dolsenecon @ aol. com