WSP04343

• File Number: 7630.325
• Description: Wild and Scenic-Gunnison River-Curecanti Unit
• State: CO
• Basin: Gunnison
• Water Division: 4
• Date: 12/1/1986
• Author: WBLA inc
• Title: Gunnison-Curecanti-Curecanti Instream Flow Water Rights Study
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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D. Conceptual Schematic

The main physical features of the hydrologic system modeled in this

study are shown on Figure 1. This is a conce~tual schematic only. A more

complicated network is actually used in the model to reflect water right

priorities, capacities, operating criteria, inflow and depletion data, and

instream flows. The actual network for the computer model is documented

in Section 2 of the Technical Report.

For the purpose of this study, it is assumed that no change in storage

occurs behind Morrow Point or Crystal dams. At Blue Mesa, the model

distinguishes between water which is released out of storage from water

which is not stored and is either routed through the power outlet, the

river outlet or over the spillway. All water released from Blue Mesa

storage is assumed to be routed through the Blue Mesa power outlet. Blue

Mesa storage bypasses are also routed through the power outlet to the

eKtent that outlet capacity is available. If the power outlet is full,

storage bypasses are routed through the river outlet or if the river

outlet and reservoir are both full, over the spillway. It is assumed that

all discharges below Blue Mesa - Blue Mesa storage releases through the

power outlet, storage bypasses, power bypasses, and flow gains - are

routed through the Morrow Point and Crystal power plants to the eKtent of

their capacities, but that the capacities of these lower facilities do not

constrain operations at Blue Mesa.

WBLA, Inc. 1909 Broadway, 13, Boulder, Colorado 80302