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<br />Cimarron Dred~in~ Environmental Assessment <br /> <br />Blue Mesa and Morrow Point Dams are operated to provide peaking power, while Crystal Dam is <br />operated to re-regulare water releases in the Gunnison River. Under the proposed action, the <br />Aspinall dams would continue under normal operations. except for Morrow Point Dam which <br />would not release water for a 6 hour period each day. Adjustments in releases from other dams <br />on the system. consistenr with existing operating criteria, would be made to absorb the 6 hour <br />dredging window. Water surface elevations at Crystal Reservoir would be maintained at or <br />below the 6743 foot "bottom of channel" elevation during the dredging activities to allow easy <br />access to and removal of the deposited material. <br /> <br />Recreation Resources <br /> <br />The Gunnison River provides various recreational opportunities including fishing. rafting. <br />hiking, and sightseeing. Recreation on the Gunnison River below Morrow Point Dam is <br />managed by rhe National Park Service. the Bureau of Land Management. and Colorado Division <br />of Wildlife. <br /> <br />", <br /> <br />The National Park Service manages recreation within the Curecanti National Recreation Area. <br />which includes recreation sites along Blue Mesa. Morrow Point and Crystal Reservoirs. The <br />Curecanti National Recreation Area was developed in conjunction with the construction of the <br />Aspinall Unit. Because of limited public access created by high canyon walls, Morrow Point and <br />Crystal Reservoirs receive very little recreation use. Access is primarily limired to the upper <br />ends of Morrow Point and Crystal Reservoirs. and the East Portal of the Gunnison River below <br />Crystal Reservoir. Recreational use at the upper end of Crystal Reservoir is primarily limited to <br />the spring through fall. <br /> <br />The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (Park) is located downstream of the East Portal <br />of the Gunnison Tunnel and is managed by the National Park Service. The Park was established <br />to preserve the spectacular gorge and other scenic, scientific, and educational interests. The Park <br />includes 14 miles of the Gunnison River. <br /> <br />An additional 26 miles of the Gunnison River downstream of the National Park is managed by <br />the BLM. The river flows through the BU"l's 57,700 acre Gunnison Gorge National <br />Conservation Area and Wilderness. BLM manages the NCA and Wilderness to permanently <br />protect and conserve its outstanding scenic. geologic, wildlife, and wilderness resources and to <br />provide a diverse range of recreational opportunities including wilderness whitewater boating <br />and camping. floatfishing, and walk-wade fishing. hiking, and sightseeing. <br /> <br />The Colorado Division of Wildlife manages recreational fishing on the Gunnison River. <br />Recreational fishing is discussed in greater detail in the Wildlife Section of this Chapter. <br /> <br />The No Action Alternative would not affect recreational resources. The Proposed Action could <br />negatively affect recreational uses if the Gunnison River becomes cloudy (turbid). If the waters <br /> <br />10 <br />