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

I

,
_, no 4! f' '~ C'-
,...".1 ~_~C'-~
--.

19

I

the target at the start of a month, releases were curtailed (in accordance

I

with the Blue Mesa storage decreel so as to bring storage to the target by

the end of the month if possible. No attempt was made to save storage

I

water for later power production at Crystal by curtailing releases at Blue

Mesa when the Crystal power outlet was at capacity, and releases to make

I

the Blue Me~a target~ ware made even if they would r2~ult in water being

passed through the river outlet or over the spillway at Crystal. Blue

I

Mesa targets for the end of each month are shown in the following Table 4.

I

TABLE 4: USBR Blue Mesa Storage Targets (end of month/l000 acre feet)

I

Oct

Nov Dec Jan

Feb Mar

Apr

Mav

Jun Jul

AUQ Sep

I

700

650 590 500

430 370

400

570

760 830

800 750

I
I

These targets were provided by the USBR. They were developed by

combining the criteria from the ASP program and the operational targets

for 1987. The targets are set to maintain carryover storage, to fill the

I
I
I

reservoir each year, to maximize power production, and to minimize

spi 11s.

The above storage targets are based on average runoff conditions, and

in actual operation the targets for January through June may be violated

I

in response to above or below average snowpacks. If the snowpack is above

average, Blue Mesa storage contents may be dropped below targets so as to

I

increase power generation during these months, with the expectation that

I
I

the extra runoff will still fill Blue Mesa by the end of June. If the

WBLA, Inc. 1909 Broadway, #3, Boulder, Colorado 80302

I