International Joint Commission Advances Elk-Kootenai/y Water Study

The International Joint Commission (IJC) has achieved a significant milestone in its ongoing investigation into transboundary water pollution affecting the Elk-Kootenai/y Watershed. On December 1, 2025, the IJC submitted the International Elk-Kootenai/y Watershed Study Board Interim Status Report to both the Governments of Canada and the United States, along with the Ktunaxa Nation, which is a co-signatory of the associated proposal. This report outlines the progress made in understanding the pollution issues within the watershed and the effects on local communities and ecosystems.

Collaboration and Historical Significance

The report reflects the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, including federal agencies, provincial and state governments, and Indigenous communities. As noted by Merrell-Ann Phare, lead IJC Commissioner appointed by Canada, “The timely delivery of the Interim Status Report represents another milestone in the IJC’s management and administration of this historic reference in United States-Canada transboundary water relations.”

The initiative began on March 8, 2024, when the Canadian and U.S. governments provided a reference to the IJC. This request, grounded in the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909, sought the IJC’s intervention regarding the impacts of transboundary water pollution in the Elk-Kootenai/y watershed. A key component of this request was the establishment of a study board comprising experts and knowledge holders dedicated to transparent and coordinated knowledge sharing.

Next Steps and Community Engagement

Gerald Acker, lead IJC Commissioner appointed by the U.S., commended the efforts of the Study Board and its technical working groups, stating, “We commend the Study Board, along with their technical working groups and partners, for the engagement, thoughtful approach and expertise culminating in this Interim Status Report.”

The forthcoming major milestone will be a public comment period scheduled for summer 2026. During this time, stakeholders will have the opportunity to provide input on the Study Board’s draft final report, which will include recommendations addressing the matters outlined in the original reference.

The establishment of the Elk-Kootenai/y Study Board marks a historic moment in Canada-U.S. relations, particularly as it represents the first instance where Indigenous Peoples have had a pivotal role in developing a reference to the IJC under the Boundary Waters Treaty.

The Elk and Kootenai/y rivers originate in the Canadian Rockies of British Columbia and flow into the Koocanusa Reservoir, which spans the Canada-U.S. border. Below the reservoir, the Kootenai/y River continues through transboundary Ktunaxa lands into the states of Montana and Idaho, eventually returning to British Columbia, where it empties into the Columbia River.

As this critical study progresses, continued collaboration among governments and Indigenous communities will be essential in addressing the challenges posed by water pollution in this vital watershed.