Discharge Permits for Federal Hydroelectric Projects in the Lower Columbia River

Below are EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) discharge permits for the following hydroelectric generating facilities on the lower Columbia River operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:

Bonneville Project (WA0026778)
The Dalles Lock and Dam (WA0026701)
John Day Project (WA0026832)
McNary Lock and Dam (WA0026824)

Effective date: July 1, 2023
Modified: February 16, 2024
Permits expire: June 30, 2028

For information about Oregon’s objection under Clean Water Act Section 401(a)(2), visit Public Hearing on Proposed Discharge Permits for Federal Hydroelectric Projects in the Lower Columbia River.

Final Permits

NPDES Permit, Bonneville Project, Lower Columbia River, #WA0026778 (pdf) (424.98 KB, Modified February 16, 2024)
Final discharge permit.
NPDES Permit, The Dalles Lock and Dam, Lower Columbia River, #WA0026701 (pdf) (424.86 KB, Modified February 16, 2024)
Final discharge permit.
NPDES Permit, John Day Project, Lower Columbia River, #WA0026832 (pdf) (428.02 KB, Modified February 16, 2024)
Final discharge permit.
NPDES Permit, McNary Lock and Dam, Lower Columbia River, #WA0026824 (pdf) (339.46 KB, Modified February 16, 2024)
Final discharge permit.

Public Comments

Response to Comments on 2023 Draft Modification to NPDES Permits for Federal Hydroelectric Facilities in the Lower Columbia and Snake Rivers (pdf) (81.52 KB, February 2024)
EPA's responses to comments received during the public comment period from December 6, 2023, to January 4, 2024, on the proposed modification to pH monitoring frequency.
Response to Comments on Draft NPDES Permits for Federal Hydroelectric Facilities in the Lower Columbia River (pdf) (575.39 KB, December 15, 2022)
EPA's responses to public comments received on the 2020, 2021, and 2022 draft permits.
Public Comments on 2021 Draft NPDES Permits for Federal Hydroelectric Facilities in the Lower Columbia and Snake Rivers (pdf) (7.82 MB, March 1, 2021)
Comments received by EPA within the public comment period from January 15 through February 16, 2021.
Public Comments on 2020 Draft NPDES Permits for Federal Hydroelectric Facilities in the Lower Columbia and Snake Rivers (pdf) (8.4 MB)
Comments received by EPA within the public comment period from March 18 through May 4, 2020.

Fact Sheets

2023 NPDES Permit Fact Sheet, Federal Hydroelectric Projects in the Lower Columbia and Snake Rivers (pdf) (194.72 KB, December 2023)
Technical basis for proposed permit modifications.
2022 NPDES Permit Fact Sheet, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lower Columbia River Hydroelectric Facilities: #WA0026778, #WA0026701, #WA0026832, #WA0026824 (pdf) (656.56 KB, September 2022)
Technical basis for 2022 revised discharge permits for Bonneville Project; The Dalles Lock and Dam; John Day Project; and McNary Lock and Dam.
2021 NPDES Permit Fact Sheet, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lower Columbia River Hydroelectric Facilities: #WA0026778, #WA0026701, #WA0026832, #WA0026824 (pdf) (387 KB, January 2021)
Technical basis for 2021 revised discharge permits for Bonneville Project; The Dalles Lock and Dam; John Day Project; and McNary Lock and Dam.
2020 NPDES Permit Fact Sheet, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lower Columbia River Hydroelectric Facilities: #WA0026778, #WA0026701, #WA0026832, #WA0026824 (pdf) (2.06 MB, March 2020)
Technical basis for 2020 proposed discharge permits for Bonneville Project; The Dalles Lock and Dam; John Day Project; and McNary Lock and Dam.