Gunnison_BasinReport_200407

• Title: Gunnison River Basin Information
• Description: General information regarding surface water projects and operations within the Gunnison River basin.
• Decision Support - Doc Type: Basin Report
• Date: 7/1/2004
• DSS Category: Surface Water
• DSS: Colorado River
• Basin: Gunnison
• Contract/PO #: C153933, C154062
• Grant Type: Non-Reimbursable
• Bill Number: SB92-87, HB93-1273, SB94-029, HB95-1155, SB96-153, HB97-008
• Prepared By: Leonard Rice Engineering

Table of Contents
1. The Gunnison River Basin ........................................................................................................ l-1
1.1. Physical Geography .............................................................................................................. 1-1
1.2. Human and Economic Factors .............................................................................................. 1-2
1.3. Water Resources Development ............................................................................................. 1-4
1.4. Water Rights Administration and Operations ....................................................................... 1-4
2. Gunnison River Projects and Special Operations ...................................................................2-1
2.1. Austin Area Water Rights .......................................................................................... ........... 2-1
2.2. Bostwick Park Project -Cimarron River Water Rights ............................................. ........... 2-2
2.2.1. General Description of Cimarron River Water Rights and Diversions ...... ........... 2-2
2.2.2. General Description of Bostwick Park Project ........................................... ........... 2-3
2.2.3. Operation of Cimarron Water Rights in the WRPM .................................. ........... 2-5
2.3. Dallas Creek Project (Ridgway Reservoir) -Project 7 Water Authority ................... ........... 2-5
2.3.1. General Description of Dallas Creek Project .............................................. ........... 2-5
2.3.2. General Description of Project 7 Water Authority ..................................... ........... 2-7
2.3.3. Ridgway Reservoir Exchange Agreement .................................................. ........... 2-8
2.3.4. Key Assumptions Incorporated into the WRPM ........................................ ........... 2-8
2.3.5. Conclusions and Recommendations ........................................................... ........... 2-9
2.4. Operations of Taylor Park and Blue Mesa Reservoirs ............................................... ........... 2-9
2.4.1. General Description of Taylor Park Reservoir ........................................... ........... 2-9
2.4.2. General Operation of Taylor Park Reservoir .............................................. ......... 2-10
2.4.3. General Description of Wayne N. Aspinall Storage Unit ........................... ......... 2-11
2.4.4. General Operation of Aspinall Storage Unit ............................................... ......... 2-12
2.4.5. Taylor ParkBlue Mesa Exchange Agreement ............................................ ......... 2-13
2.4.6. Operation of the Taylor ParkBlue Mesa Exchange in the WRPM ............ ......... 2-16
2.4.7. Conclusions and Recommendations ........................................................... ......... 2-17
2.5. Fruitland Mesa Area Water Rights ............................................................................ ......... 2-17
2.5.1. General Description of the Water Rights in the Fruitland Mesa Area ........ ......... 2-17
2.5.2. Fruitland Mesa Water Conservancy District ............................................... ......... 2-19
2.5.3. Historic Operation of the Fruitland Mesa Area Water Rights .................... ......... 2-19
2.5.4. Operation of Fruitland Mesa Rights in the WRPM .................................... ......... 2-20
2.5.5. Conclusions and Recommendations ........................................................... ......... 2-20
2.6. Paonia Project ............................................................................................................ ......... 2-21
2.6.1. General Description of the Paonia Project .................................................. ......... 2-21
2.6.2. Ragged Mountain Exchange ....................................................................... ......... 2-23
2.6.3. Summary of Paonia Reservoir Accounts .................................................... ......... 2-23
2.6.4. Operation of the Paonia Project in the WRPM ........................................... ......... 2-24
2.6.5. Conclusions and Recommendations ........................................................... ......... 2-25
2.7. Smith Fork Area Water Rights -Crawford Water Conservancy District .................. ......... 2-25
2.7.1. General Description of Smith Fork Water Rights ....................................... ......... 2-25
2.7.2. Crawford Reservoir ..................................................................................... ......... 2-26
Gunnison River Basin Information i