Aspinall Project Notices
Project Notices
BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
ASPINALL UNIT RELEASES
October 31, 2018
Releases from the Aspinall Unit will be decreased by 300 cfs on Thursday, November 1st. Diversions to the Gunnison Tunnel will be reduced by 425 cfs on Thursday, November 1st. Releases are being decreased in order to maintain flows in the Gunnison River through the Black Canyon as the Gunnison Tunnel ends diversions for the year. The current content of Blue Mesa Reservoir is 248,000 AF which is 30% of full.
Flows in the lower Gunnison River are currently above the baseflow target of 790 cfs. River flows are expected to stay above the baseflow target for the foreseeable future.
Pursuant to the Aspinall Unit Operations Record of Decision (ROD), the baseflow target in the lower Gunnison River, as measured at the Whitewater gage, is 790 cfs for October and November.
Currently, diversions into the Gunnison Tunnel are 425 cfs and flows in the Gunnison River through the Black Canyon are 315 cfs. After this release change Gunnison Tunnel diversions will be zero and flows in the Gunnison River through the Black Canyon will temporarily be around 450 cfs. Releases at Crystal will be adjusted again to bring river flows back near the current flow rate of 315 cfs. People in or near the Gunnison River downstream from Crystal Dam should be aware of potential river fluctuations throughout the day on Thursday, November 1st.Current flow information is obtained from provisional data that may undergo revision subsequent to review.
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 or e-mail at eknight@usbr.gov
Contact
Please contact the Operations Group via e-mail at ResourceMgr@usbr.gov for additional information.
Last Updated: 10/31/18
