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# Interior Region 7 • Upper Colorado Basin

Encompassing all or parts of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah and Wyoming

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              - Upper Colorado Region
              - CRSP
              - Aspinall Unit

Upper Colorado Basin              - Upper Colorado News
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                Paradox Valley Unit

                - Colorado River Storage Project
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Aspinall Unit              - Crystal Dam
              - Blue Mesa Dam
              - Morrow Point Dam

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The flows of the Gunnison River have always been a challenge since early settlers arrived in western Colorado. Low-lying valleys were often ravaged by spring floods, then by late summer, when irrigation was desperately needed it dwindled to a small stream. With the rapid settlement in the Uncompahgre Valley, farmers moved into the valley to capitalize on the opportunity to provide the necessary food supply for the mining industry. Irrigation began about 1875 to grow crops including the first crop of hay which was shipped to mines in southwestern Colorado. As early as 1890, settlement and agricultural needs expanded such that additional water supplies became necessary. Soon, active support was sought for driving a tunnel from Gunnison River to the Uncompahgre Valley to deliver additional water.

Blue Mesa Dam and powerplant

Blue Mesa Reservoir

Highway bridge crossing Blue Mesa Reservoir

Crystal Dam

Crystal Powerplant generator - 2002

Morrow Point Powerplant generators

Morrow Point Dam

Aerial view of Gunnison River and Morrow Point Powerplant below Morrow Point Dam

View of Morrow Point Dam and Gunnison River from downstream

Electrical transmission lines and switchyard at Blue Mesa Dam

Construction of Blue Mesa Dam embankment and intake structure - 1965

Last bucket of concrete at Morrow Point Dam - 1967

Crystal Dam construction - 1975

Blue Mesa Dam Powerplant construction - 1965

Surveyor overlook at Crystal Dam - 1975

Morrow Point Dam construction - 1967

Morrow Point Dam during construction - 1967

Morrow Point Powerplant construction - 1969

Morrow Point Powerplant construction - 1969

Concrete placement at Morrow Point Dam - 1965

Morrow Point Dam construction - 1965

Fly fishing in the Gunnison River - a blue ribbon trout fishery

Rafting on the Gunnison River

Rafters prepare for river trip on the Gunnison River

Lake Fork Marina on Blue Mesa Reservoir

Historical railroad exhibit in Cimarron Canyon

Kayaker at water park on the Gunnison River

Scenic fall foliage along the Gunnison River

Water skiing on Blue Mesa Reservoir

The Pinnacles area of Blue Mesa Reservoir

Construction of the Gunnison Tunnel began in 1905 and was completed in 1912 to divert water from the Gunnison River for irrigation needs. Initially called the Gunnison Project, it was later renamed to the Uncompahgre Project. 

The Wayne N. Aspinall Unit on the Gunnison River was authorized as part of the Colorado Storage Project Act on April 11, 1956, as one of the four initial Colorado River Storage Project units and overlays part of the Uncompahgre Project. The Gunnison River, which originates in west central Colorado, is formed by the confluence of the Taylor and East rivers and is the fifth largest tributary of the Colorado River. Together, Blue Mesa Dam, Morrow Point Dam, and Crystal Dam developed the water storage and hydroelectric power generating potential along a 40-mile section of the Gunnison River while also regulating the flow of the river and in turn, assisting in the regulation the Colorado River. The three Aspinall Unit dams are located in the upper part of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, one of the longest, narrowest, and deepest gorges in the world.

Originally named the Curecanti Unit, the name was changed in 1980 to honor U.S. Representative Wayne N. Aspinall from Colorado, a strong proponent of water resources development in Colorado and the western states. He served 24 years in the House of Representatives and was instrumental in the passage of the Colorado River Storage Project Act.

**Related Resources**Colorado River Storage ProjectThe Uncompahgre ProjectCurecanti National Recreation AreaBlack Canyon of the Gunnison

### Looking for water data?  WATER OPERATIONS

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The capacity of the generating units in each of the Aspinall powerplants has been increased from the original capacity through the application of new technology and other work performed in the powerplants as repair or replacement of equipment occurred due to normal “wear and tear” and aging. The current combined nameplate capacity of the generating units in each powerplant is listed in the table below as well as the average annual generation.