ASPINALL – August unregulated inflow into Blue Mesa Reservoir was 70,000 acre-feet or 109 percent of average. Precipitation during August was observed to be about 80 percent of average. The current inflow rate into Blue Mesa Reservoir is about 700 cfs while reservoir releases are averaging about 2,100 cfs. Blue Mesa's present elevation is 7505.15 feet, which corresponds to a storage content of about 704,000 acre-feet. The actual April through July runoff into Blue Mesa Reservoir was recorded at 1,006,000 acre-feet or about 140 percent of normal runoff. The reservoir reached a high elevation of 7511.9 feet on July 31, 2008, which was approximately 4.5 feet below “full” pool. Based on significantly high April to July inflow forecasts (153 percent of average in mid-May), Blue Mesa Reservoir was operated to provide an early high peak release in spring 2008. Late-season reductions in the forecast prompted decreased releases and slightly lower reservoir elevations near the end of runoff. The reservoir is considered full at elevations above 7516.4 feet. The top of the spillway gates is actually 7519.4 feet, but we rarely fill to that level due to safety concerns for the reservoir.
Releases from Crystal are holding steady at about 2000 cfs. The current diversion rate through the Gunnison Tunnel is about 1,050 cfs, which results in a river flow below the diversion tunnel of approximately 950 cfs. (Note: there is a 100 cfs discrepancy between the river, canal, and reservoir readings.) Reductions in Crystal releases are planned towards the end of September in order to accommodate for decreases in tunnel diversions and also to assist in the State of Colorado annual fish survey on the river during the first week of October. Other changes to reservoir release rates may occur as conditions warrant, primarily as we respond to changes in the river inflows.
To view the most current reservoir elevation, content, inflow and release, click on: Blue Mesa Reservoir Data or Crystal Reservoir Data.
The next meeting of the "Aspinall Unit Working Group" will be held on August 28, 2008, starting at 1:00 PM in the Elk Creek Center at Blue Mesa Reservoir. Spring and summer operations will be reviewed and future operations discussed. These meetings are open forum discussions on the Aspinall Unit reservoir operations with many interested groups participating. Anyone needing further information about these meetings should contact Dan Crabtree in the Grand Junction Area Office at (970) 248-0652. To view minutes from the last Aspinall meeting, click on: Meeting Notes.
Paul Davidson
updated September 10, 2008
Email comments/inquires to: ResourceMgr@uc.usbr.gov