HabiChats: Climate Change & Future Flooding in the Columbia River Basin with Laura Queen

Flooding is a devastating natural disaster in the Pacific Northwest that kills people, destroys property, and both disrupts and sustains ecosystems. From historic examples like the Heppner flood of 1903 and Vanport flood of 1948 to recent flooding of the Willamette and Umatilla rivers in 2019 and 2020, it is clear that flooding remains a potent threat. In fact, by the end of the century, floods throughout the Columbia River basin are likely to increase in size and flood seasons are likely to expand for some catchments, according to a new study by Oregon State University and University of Washington researchers. Laura Queen, the lead author, will share these recent findings, with a focus on the dramatic changes projected along the Willamette river and its upper tributaries.