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of 750 cfs. The State Engineer would then curtail diversions of upstream junior rights on the Gunnison River or its tributaries. Calls affect water users along the river and its tributaries from Gunnison and Hinsdale Counties to Mesa County, On streams upstream from Blue Mesa Reservoir, junior water users were historically shut down by calls of the Redlands Diversion Dam or Gunnison Tunnel. Calls on the river have decreased since the Aspinall Unit began operations in the 1960's. This is because the Unit stores water in high flow periods and releases the water to increase river flows in nonnally low water periods as was shown in Figure 2. Senior water right holders, such as for the Red1ands Diversion Dam, have had more dependable water supplies and junior water rights have been protected from being "called out." In the future, whether or not the alternatives outlined in this assessment are implemented, it is expected that there will be more administration of water rights and uses in the Gunnison Basin due to a variety of factors: . Completion of a Biological Opinion on Aspinall Unit Operations - This will be prepared in 2-3 years and will recommend operation changes to help protect and recover endangered fish species downstream in the Gunnison and Colorado Rivers. The Opinion will likely call for higher spring releases and lower winter releases to more closely simulate natural seasonal flow patterns. This would be more like historic conditions, when calls were more frequent. . Quantification of the reserved water right established for the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument - This right dates back to establishment of the Monument in 1933, but its quantity in flow (cfs) has not been detennined. The date of this water right makes it senior to Blue Mesa storage rights. When quantified, a defmed flow pattern or a set quantity of water may be required to be released from the Aspinall Unit to the river as it flows through the Monument. Calls on this right may affect water available to upstream junior water rights in the Upper Gunnison Basin and water storage in Blue Mesa Reservoir. . Future sales of Aspinall Unit water and potential development of proposed water projects upstream from the Redlands Diversion Dam - Currently proposed projects include the Dominguez Reservoir Project between Delta and Grand Junction, and transmountain. diversion projects that would divert Gunnison flows to the eastern slope of Colorado. In summary, existing conditions provide for storage and release of water by the Aspinall Unit in a manner that has increased the supply of water to water users throughout the basin. Commitments of water to benefit endangered fish have also been made. 18