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operations in the upper basin. The information was used to <br />describe the operation and physical characteristics of the Unit <br />reservoirs, dams, and power generation facilities which in turn <br />was used to develop the network definition. <br />The next station in the network is used to model Blue Mesa <br />Reservoir and to add tributary reservoir inflow. Blue Mesa was <br />modeled to inter-relate with the the other two Unit reservoirs <br />with balancing occurring between reservoirs based upon desired <br />target levels. The Unit is used primarily as a power generation <br />facility and as storage to meet the requirements of the Gunnison <br />Tunnel diversions in coordination with the operation of Taylor <br />Reservoir. <br />Blue Mesa was modeled with a capacity of 940,755 acre-feet, with a <br />111,255 dead storage pool. Blue Mesa has a annual refill decree <br />of 939,304 acre-feet which has been modeled with a 1957 priority <br />dated corresponding to the Water District 62 decree. Information <br />from the Conservancy and Bureau was used to develop tables to <br />simulate the operation of Blue Mesa. Key operational table for <br />Blue mesa is the reservoir target table, which controls the <br />monthly contents. Water in excess of this target is spilled, and <br />when the reservoir is below this target, water will be stored if <br />there is no demand below the reservoir with a superior water <br />right. Targets for Blue Mesa were provided by Randy Peterson who <br />developed them based upon historical contents and the Bureau's <br />standard operation practices. These tables are summarized below <br />and appear in detail along with the network in Appendix B. <br />7 <br />