WSPC01202

• File Number: 8210.761.09
• Description: Colorado River-Federal Agencies-US NPS-Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 1/1/3000
• Title: General Management Plan 1-Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument and Curecanti National Recreation Area
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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\'ISIO~S FOR RESOURCES. I~TERI'RETATI()~. A;'I;IlRECREATlO~

Tilt' rl.ll1tlWill~ \'i...itlll ...l~lt('rnell'" an: h;J't.:J 011 input n:cei\c:J Jurin~ the managl.'lllL'1l1 a......c......mcnt.
TIley .m.: ...hon narrative.. rd~llin~ u" hat coulJ hc" III the future and arc U'l'J in c\ alu<lting: the
arrropriah.'llc..... of \ arinu.. alternali\t.'....

Curecanti National Recreation Area

Water Water is a simple compound with important physical properties but its value evolves
with generations. Water shaped and carved the land in the Gunnison country for eons
Meltwaters caused rushing streams with tremendous mudslides. Dinosaurs feU Apatosaur
and Diplodocus bones would fossilize. The stark. sagebrush-covered mesas of mud and
sandstones would receive little rain. Erosion would slow and life would survive in an arid
climate.

Left alone, the Gunnison River would continue to meander and carve. The river would provide
a ribbon of life for cottonwoods and willows. native trout. and migrating birds. People would
hunt. people would gather. people would cook In rock-lined hearths. Descendants would be
remembered in place names-Chjpeta, Sapinero. Curicata

Later. people would explore. migrate. and engineer. The fiver would present what would seem
to be a natural
path to the West.
a trail for a
railroad. Cattle,
sheep. market
goods. and
people would be
transported by a
tiny train on a
narrow railbed
Communities
would grow, tIed
by the train The
West would
grow and
agriculture would
expand in the
warm desert with
enough water
The high.
rugged dry
landscape would not be Interrupted by a narrow green
thread but by three large reservoirs Blue Mesa would be the largest reservoir In Colorado.
storing water for agriculture and power generation Morrow Point the first reservoir in the
Black Canyon would be formed behind a thin arch. double curvature concrete dam containing
a massive power generallng plant A third reservoir Crystal would be held by a dam built
for the purpose of regulating downstream rivertlows

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W,ndsw1er!) al Curecanll Nilnonal RectreallOll Area

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