Introduction

The St. Lawrence, Indus, Nile, Jordan, Columbia, and Mekong are familiar cases of international streams the development of which requires a measure of mutual accommodation among the riparian countries involved. In taking the Columbia as an example of International River development it must be remembered that conditions were highly favorable as compared with many of the world’s other great river basins. The Columbia River is shared by two countries that have been at peace traditionally; between the peoples of the United States and Canada there exist a spirit of amity and trust as great as any to be found. Viewed in the larger perspective, the accomplishments of the Columbia River Treaty are not inconsiderable. There are several ways in which co-operative international river development offers possibilities for mutual gain. There, from 1953 to 1961 the administration was hostile to federal development and operation of hydroelectric projects, among which were those contemplated on the Columbia River.