WSP09110

• File Number: 8220.102.03.I
• Description: Colorado River Water Projects - Aspinall Storage Unit - Morrow Point - Environmental Studies
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 9/1/2001
• Author: DOI-BOR
• Title: Morrow Point Cimarron River Dredging Project - Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION

ProDosed Action

This Final Environmental Assessment (EA) reviews the proposed action of removing
approximately 11,000 cubic yards of deposited material from the upper end of Crystal Reservoir
below Morrow Point Dam's tailrace in Montrose County, Colorado. The Bureau of Reclamation
(Reclamation) prepared this EA in cooperation with other federal and state agencies to comply
with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Endangered Species Act. and related U.S.
Depanment of the Interior policies and regulations. If. based on this analysis, Reclamation
concludes the proposed action would have no significant impact on the human environment.
preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement would not be required before the action could
be implemented.

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Morrow Point Dam was completed in 1968 as pan of the Wayne N. Aspinall Unit (Aspinall
Unit) of the Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP). Blue Mesa. Morrow Point and Crystal
Reservoirs on the Gunnison River are operated as a system to comprise the Aspinall Unit. Other
features of the CRSP include Flaming Gorge Dam on the Green River. Navajo Dam on the San
Juan River. and Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River.

The Aspinall Unit is located in Gunnison and Montrose Counties. Colorado, along a 40-mile
reach of the Gunnison River as shown on the Frontispiece Map. The Unit is operated by
Reclamation. while lands surrounding the reservoirs are managed by the National Park Service as
the Curecanti National Recreation Area. Reclamation operates the reservoirs and power plants to
meet the following authorized purposes:

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regulate the t10w of the Colorado River
store water for beneficial consumptive uses
allow the Upper Basin states to use the apportionment made to and among them through
the Colorado River Basin Compact and Upper Colorado River Compact
provide for the reclamation of arid and semiarid land
provide for flood control
provide for fish and wildlife enhancement and public recreation
generate hydropower

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PurDose and Need

Reclamation has identified a need to restore the tailrace below Morrow Point Reservoir to its
original post dam construction elevarion. Reclamation proposes to remove approximately 1l.000
cubic yards of gravel deposited in the upper end of Crystal Reservoir at the cont1uence of the
Gunnison and Cimarron Rivers (See Figure I). The purpose of the project is to lower the water
elevation in the power plant tailrace to improve hydropower generating efficiency.