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Taylor Park Reservoir Area-Capacity Table <br />Elevation <br />(feet - MSL) Area <br />(Acres) Capacity <br />(acre-feet) <br />7,385 0 0 <br />7,393 639 20,000 <br />7,404 846 30,000 <br />7,421 1,061 40,000 <br />7,435 1,274 50,000 <br />7,449 1,451 60,000 <br />7,463 1,603 70,000 <br />7,477 1,742 80,000 <br />7,501 1,870 90,000 <br />7,519 2,023 106,200 <br />2.4.3. General Description of Wayne N. Aspinall Storage Unit <br />The Aspinall Unit was constructed as part of the Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP) <br />and is operated by the USBR. The unit is located along the mainstem of the Gunnison <br />River between the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument and the City of <br />Gunnison. Three reservoirs form the Aspinall Unit: 1) Blue Mesa, 2) Morrow Point, and <br />3) Crystal. Construction of the unit was authorized on April 11, 1956, and was originally <br />known as the Curecanti Unit. Blue Mesa Dam was completed in 1966, followed by <br />Morrow Point in 1968, and Crystal in 1976. <br />The primary function of the CRSP is to regulate streamflow so that water commitments <br />to the Lower Colorado River Basin can be met in dry periods without curtailing the <br />development of water uses allotted to the Upper Basin. Generating hydroelectric power <br />at the three dams is also a key feature of the project. Currently, there is active discussion <br />between the United States and the Colorado Water Conservation Board in regards to <br />reserving an account in Blue Mesa Reservoir that would provide for releases for <br />endangered fish species in the lower Colorado River basin. The parties are considering <br />storing approximately 148,000 acre-feet for this purpose, which is apparently based on a <br />demand below the Redlands Canal of 300 cfs from July through October. <br />The flows of the Gunnison River are largely controlled by the operation of Blue Mesa <br />Reservoir, the largest of the three Aspinall Unit reservoirs. Water released through the <br />Blue Mesa power plant receives short-term re-regulation by Morrow Point and Crystal <br />Reservoirs located immediately downstream. Water releases from Morrow Point are <br />primarily for peaking power, while releases through the Crystal power plant are more <br />uniform to satisfy the requirements of downstream water rights and to maintain a viable <br />instream flow through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument. Except <br />for a few water users that have entered into water service contracts with the United <br />States, the Aspinall Unit is not operated to formally provide releases from storage directly <br />to irrigated lands and municipal and industrial users. <br />Power revenues in excess of operating costs and reimbursable construction costs are <br />available to repay other CRSP participating projects. Transmission of the electric power <br />Gunnison River Basin Information 2-11 <br />