- Reclamation
- Upper Colorado Basin
- Water Operations
- Aspinall Project Notices
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
Contact
Please contact the Operations Group via e-mail at ResourceMgr@usbr.gov for additional information.