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<br />ASPINALL - September unregulated inflow into Blue Mesa was 63,000 acre-feet or 167 percent of <br />average. The river runoff continues to be above average as a result of the wet summer monsoon <br />season we had this year. The precipitation for September was 90 percent of average. This summer's <br />unexpected storm activity has resulted in very high lake elevations for Blue Mesa this time of year. <br />The present inflow rate into Blue Mesa' Reservoir is about 800 cfs and reservoir releases are <br />averaging about 1,400 cfs. Blue Mesa's current elevation is 7504.24 feet which corresponds to a <br />storaee content of about 697,000 acre- feet. <br /> <br />Releases from Crystal Dam are currently 1,750 cfs. The Gunnison Tunnel is diverting 400 cfs from <br />the river, leaving the flow in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison at about 1,350 cfs. Crystal releases <br />will remain at this level through the rest of this month or until the Gunnison Tunnel starts CUlling <br />back, Then the releases from Crystal will be reduced at the same rate as tunnel diversions are <br />reduced. This will allow the river downstream of the tunnel to remain at a constant flow. <br /> <br />The "Aspinall Unit Working Group" meeting was held on August 19,1999 at 12:30 pm at Blue <br />Mesa Reservoir's Elk Creek Visitors Center. At this meeting, review of last Spring's operations, and <br />plans for late Summer and Fall operations were discussed. The next meeting is scheduled for January <br />25,2000, in Montrose, Colorado. These meetings are'open forum discussions on'the Aspinall Unit <br />reservoir operations with many interested groups participating. Anyone .needing further information <br />about these meetings should contact Ed Warner in the Grand Junction Area Office at (970) <br />248-0654. <br /> <br />NA VA 10 - September unregulated inflow into Navajo was 109,000 acre-feet or 286 percent of <br />. normal and precipitation for the month was recorded at 75 percent of normal. This is first month that <br />precipitation has been below normal since March. The current reservoir inflow is about 800 cfs and <br />the water surface elevation is 6074.92 feet which corresponds to a reservoir content of about <br />1,550,000 acre-feet. All reservoir releases are being made through the powerplant and are currently <br />at 900 cfs and falling. The release rate will gradually decrease to about 500 cfs following decrea.,es <br />in reservoir inflows. Adjustments will be made on a weekly basis. The Navajo Indian Irrigation <br />Project (NIIP) is currently diverting 185 cfs and is planning to shut down operations on October 15, <br />1999. The 500 cfs release will be the minimum releases throughout the Fall and Winter months. <br /> <br />Reclamation plans to hold public meetings on Navajo Reservoir operations annually in January, <br />April, and August at varying locations, These are open forum meetings and anyone interested in the <br />general operation of the reservoir is encouraged to attend, The ne)!:t meeting is scheduled for January <br />2000. At this meeting Reclamation officials will present the alternatives for near term operation of <br />the reservoir. For further information about these meetings or the daily operations of Navajo <br />Reservoir please contact Rege Leach in Reclamation's Durango Office at (970) 385-6553. <br />