ASPINALL – March unregulated inflow into Blue Mesa Reservoir was 40,000 acre-feet or 112 percent of average. On April 7, 2009 the basin snowpack was 108 percent of average. Precipitation during March was 70 percent of average. The current inflow rate into Blue Mesa Reservoir is about 650 cfs while reservoir releases are averaging about 1,000 cfs. Currently the weather pattern has been wetter and colder than average, however spring like conditions are returning which will most likely start the annual spring snowmelt and we expect the elevation at Blue Mesa Reservoir to start increasing Blue Mesa's present elevation is 7484.44 feet, which corresponds to a storage content of about 539,000 acre-feet.
The latest Water Supply Forecast for Water Year 2009 has been issued and the April through July unregulated inflow is forecasted to be at 690,000 acre-feet (96% of average). This is a reduction of 40,000 acre-feet from just last month’s forecast. The decrease is attributed to the dry start we had in the early part of March. Based on this forecast, Blue Mesa Reservoir is projected to fill this season.
Releases from Crystal are currently set at 1500 cfs. The Gunnison Diversion Tunnel started taking water for the new season on March 19, 2009. The current diversion rate in the tunnel is 500 cfs, which results in a river flow below the diversion tunnel of approximately 1,000 cfs. These rates will most likely change as conditions warrant, primarily as we respond to changes in the forecasted spring inflows.
Reservoir releases are likely to change during April into May as we respond to changing forecasts and runoff conditions. 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 Thursday, April 23, 2009 starting at 9:30 AM in Reclamation’s Grand Junction Office. At this meeting, review of this winter’s reservoir operations, and plans for this spring and summer operations will be 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 April 20, 2009
Email comments/inquires to: ResourceMgr@uc.usbr.gov