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GUNNISON BASIN <br /> Basinwide Conditions Assessment: I <br /> The SWSI value of 2.9 indicates that for March the basin GUNNISON RIVER BASIN <br /> water supplies were well above normal. The Natural Resources Surface Water supply Index"rstory <br /> Conservation Service reports April 1 snowpack as 122% of <br /> normal. Storage in Taylor Park, Crawford, and Fruitland <br /> - <br /> reservoirs totaled 113% of normal on March 31. Flow at the <br /> gaging station Uncompahgre River near Ridgway averaged 71 cfs _ <br /> as compared to the 1961-1993 March average of 61 cfs. The >; <br /> National Weather Service computes basin precipitation as 233%of Z °- <br /> normal during the month. <br /> } <br /> -3- <br /> Outlook <br /> March roared in like a lion and several substantial storms ''""° J""" Ma. ' ."MONTH/YEAR <br /> J.. M. <br /> have greatly increased the snow pack. The outlook has brightened <br /> for water users for a good irrigation season. With above average <br /> runoff,most irrigators will get their full decree of water during the <br /> high flows and could possibly even get some late summer water as UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER NR. R I DGWAY <br /> FLOW BY WATER YEAR <br /> well. <br /> 3° <br /> Administrative/Management Concerns LL <br /> The concerns that transpire from a "river call" are <br /> reduced by an above average runoff. The Redlands Canal call on <br /> the Gunnison River near Grand Junction (July 31, 1905) could <br /> possibly occur again this year, but is unlikely. Of note is the J ,° <br /> renewed interest in developing the AB Lateral Hydropower Project <br /> near Montrose. This project takes water from the Gunnison <br /> Tunnel through the AB Lateral, into a pipeline, through the small ° Qs,, <br /> power plant just below Montrose and into the Uncompaghre River. MONTH <br /> (1994) —DRY C1977) ..-AVG _e-.1995 <br /> The conditional water right is for 900 cfs (1981) and 235 cfs <br /> (1984). This would change the operations of the South Canal <br /> during the summer and would greatly reduce the amount of water <br /> that flows down the Black Canyon of the Gunnison in the winter R E P R E S E NT A T I VE RE SERVO I R S <br /> GUNNISON RIVER BASIN <br /> months. Numerous concerns are being or have been studied for <br /> ro <br /> the feasibility of this project. <br /> Public Use Impacts s° ..- <br /> The snow pack figures caused- the Bureau of b <�:=•\gore :._.\ <br /> waterthe Blue Mesa andRidgeway <br /> Reclamation to evacuate in � 30 <br /> Reservoirs to make room for the anticipated runoff. Ridgeway a =should fill this year and Blue Mesa should come close to fillip <br /> g :.:.� <br /> Recreational opportunities at most reservoirs should be good this <br /> year. High river flows should also provide ample recreation for O.fed <br /> rafters and kayakers. IN Avg 3131 Contents 3/31/95 Contents <br /> 6 <br />