Aspinall Project Notices

Project Notices

BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
ASPINALL UNIT RELEASES
June 8, 2021

April – July unregulated inflow volume to Blue Mesa Reservoir 

Current Forecast (June 1) = 430,000 AF (68% of average) 

Blue Mesa Reservoir current conditions 

Content = 354,000 AF (43% full) 

Elevation = 7458 ft 

Inflow = 3400 cfs 

Crystal Release = 1350 cfs 

Gunnison Tunnel diversion = 1030 cfs 

Gunnison River flow = 330 cfs 

Spring Operations Summary  

Aspinall Unit Operations ROD  

Hydrologic Category = Moderately Dry 

Peak Flow = 5800 cfs 

Duration at Peak Flow = 1 day 

Baseflow Target: June/July/August = 900 cfs 

(Point of measurement is the Gunnison River near Grand Junction streamgage, commonly called the Gunnison River at Whitewater) 

Black Canyon Water Right 

Peak Flow = 2700 cfs (24 hour duration) 

Shoulder Flow Target = 300 cfs (May 1 – July 25) 

(Point of measurement is the Gunnison River below Gunnison Tunnel streamgage at the upstream boundary of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park) 

 Projected Operations  

Gunnison River flows (Black Canyon/Gunnison Gorge)  

• Currently around 330 cfs, expected to remain near 330 cfs for most of June 
• River flows may increase this summer if additional water is needed to support downstream baseflow targets  

Projected Blue Mesa Reservoir maximum fill = 390,000 AF at 7464 ft elevation 

Projected Blue Mesa Reservoir conditions on Dec 31 = 274,000 AF at 7443 ft elevation

This scheduled release change is subject to changes in river flows and weather conditions. For questions or concerns regarding these operations contact: 

Erik Knight at (970) 248-0629, e-mail eknight@usbr.gov

Ryan Christianson at (970) 248-0652, email rchristianson@usbr.gov

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Contact

Please contact the Operations Group via e-mail at ResourceMgr@usbr.gov for additional information.