Our Northwest: Columbia Basin Water Issues with Michael Barber and Sueann Ramella

Our series on Columbia Basin water issues features Mike Barber, Director of the Water Resource Center for WSU along with correspondent, Sueann Ramella. Washington's DOE and other key stakeholders are gearing up for a massive drawdown of water from Lake Roosevelt behind Grand Coulee Dam, to boost rapidly-depleting supplies. We learn about the challenges involved in bringing water to fish, towns and farms that depend it for survival.

Columbia Basin Water, Part One: Farms, Towns and Fish Overview. East of the Cascades in the massive area known as the Columbia Basin we are facing diminishing water supplies and simultaneous population growth. Michael Barber and Sueann Ramella discuss factors such as climate change, annual water flow issues and the scope of this massive environmental challenge.

Columbia Basin Water, Part Two: Farms. The Odessa Aquifer feeds a four county area in some of the dryest country in Washington State. It's slated to get some of the Lake Roosevelt water, but delivering that water might be an insurmountable problem. Learn about the creative and diverse methods now being considered to deliver and store water in this region.

Columbia Basin Water, Part Three: Towns. Peak usage of water is in summer months when supplies are lowest. Learn where all the water goes in towns across this region and how to begin to conserve.

Columbia Basin Water, Part Four: Fish. Fish, especially migrating salmon, have battled for years to maintain populations in a route riddled with dams and varying water supplies. Learn about the tactics used now and in the future to accomodate fish populations in the Northwest.