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<br />operated by BOR, and the lands and water surface areas of the Aspinall Unit are managed by <br />the NPS as the Curecanti National Recreation Area (Curecanti). <br /> <br />The Black Canyon includes 12 miles of the Gunnison River, In 1933, the Black Canyon <br />(and associated reserved water right) was established by Presidential Proclamation for the <br />preservation of the spectacular gorges and additional features of scenic, scientific, and <br />educational interests. Managed by the NPS, the Black Canyon has many characteristics that <br />depend upon the Gunnison River, including valuable natural and recreational resources, <br /> <br />The BIM manages lands of the Gunnison Gorge immediately downstream from the Black <br />Canyon as a special recreation area. The area features 16 miles of the Gunnison River and <br />its canyon, is proposed for designation as a national conservation area, and includes a <br />wilderness study area, <br /> <br />The entire reach of the river through the Black Canyon and the Gunnison Gorge is regulated <br />by the State of Colorado as a Gold Medal Trout fishery and has been proposed for Federal <br />designation as a Wild and Scenic River. <br /> <br />B. Historic Operation of the AspinaU Unit <br /> <br />The Aspinall Unit consists of Blue Mesa, Morrow Point. and Crystal Reservoirs, Dams, and <br />Powerplants, The reservoirs and powerplants are operated by the BOR to meet authorized <br />purposes of: <br /> <br />regulating the flow of the Colorado River <br />storing water for beneficial use <br />allowing the Upper Basin States to utilize the apportionment made to and <br />among them through the Colorado River Compact and the Upper Colorado <br />River Basin Compact <br />reclamation of arid and semi-arid lands <br />providing for flood control <br />providing for fish and wildlife enhancement and public recreation <br />improving water quality <br />providing for the generation of hydropower <br /> <br />Recreational development and use of the flatwater resources and lands of Curecanti have <br />been managed by the NPS under a Memorandum of Agreement since 1965. The Aspinall <br />Unit also includes land interests acquired and managed to mitigate impacts of the reservoirs <br />on fish and wildlife, This mitigation includes acquiring fishing access along the Gunnison <br />and its tributaries upstream and downstream of the reservoirs. <br /> <br />Primary water storage occurs in the uppennost and largest reservoir, Blue Mesa. <br />Powerplants at Blue Mesa and Morrow Point are operated on a peaking basis, while Crystal <br />Reservoir is operated to regulate (even-out) downstream Gunnison River streamflows, <br /> <br />2 <br />