Aspinall Unit Operations Meeting 

January 19, 2017 1:00 PM 

Background: A Record of Decision for the Aspinall Unit Operations Environmental Impact 

Statement was signed on May 3, 2012. The EIS modifies the operations of the Aspinall Unit to 

provide sufficient releases of water at times, quantities, and durations necessary to avoid 

jeopardy to endangered fish species and adverse modification of their designated critical habitat 

while maintaining and continuing to meet authorized purposes of the Aspinall Unit. Meetings 

regarding the operations of the Aspinall Unit are open to stakeholders, and take place triannually, with meetings typically occurring in January, April, and August of each year. 

Aspinall Unit Operations – Erik Knight (USBR) 

Operations Past and Present: From September 2016 to mid-January 2017, Blue Mesa content 

dropped 127,000 acre-feet (AF). Blue Mesa content is currently 591,000 AF. During this same 

time period, Gunnison River flows at Whitewater have consistently remained above the 1,050 cfs 

target. As of January 17, 2017, the conditions of reservoirs in the basin are as follows: 

Reservoir % of Capacity 

Paonia 10% 

Taylor Park 66% 

Crystal 92% 

Morrow Point 95% 

Blue Mesa 71% 

Ridgway 76% 

Silver Jack 21% 

Snow Conditions: October 2016 was very dry, with the monthly precipitation in the Gunnison 

Basin being less than 50% of average. November 2016 was still dry, however the last week of 

November provided enough precipitation to bring the majority of the Gunnison Basin up to 

between 70 and 89% of average. December 2016 experienced very wet conditions, with the 

Gunnison Basin experiencing over 150% average monthly precipitation. By January 1, 2017, the 

Gunnison Basin snow pack was 118% of normal. Wet conditions have continued in January, 

with precipitation being 200% of normal. As of January 16, 2017, the Gunnison Basin’s snow 

water equivalent is at 172% of normal. If the Gunnison Basin receives average snow fall from 

now to the end of the season, different areas within the Gunnison Basin would have snow water 

equivalents between 118% and 160% of normal by spring runoff. 

Runoff Forecasts and Future Operations: The January 1st Blue Mesa Forecasted April-July 

Inflow was 575,000 acre-feet. By mid-January, this forecast increased to 915,000 acre-feet. 

This forecast would categorize 2017 as a Moderately Wet year. If the forecast were to remain 

unchanged, a Moderately Wet year would result in a desired Whitewater peak of 14,350 cfs. The 

duration of half bank flows (8,070 cfs) would be 40 days, and the duration of peak flow (14,350 

cfs) would be 10 days. Assuming the forecast doesn’t change for the May 1st forecast, the Black 

Canyon Peak Flow would be 6,501 cfs, with May 1st to July 25th shoulder flows of 904 cfs. 

Baseflow targets at Whitewater would be 1,050 throughout the remainder of winter and spring. 
Changes in the forecast could go either way – wetter or drier. An example of what to expect 

should inflow conditions remain unchanged involves ramping releases around mid-May to reach 

the Whitewater peak and the half bankfull duration. Flows could be over 8,000 cfs in the Black 

Canyon. Flooding in Delta, Colorado becomes a problem when flows reach above 1,5000 cfs at 

Delta. To meet the 14,350 cfs Whitewater target, flows in Delta will likely reach 12,500 cfs. 

2017 Weather Outlook – Aldis Strautins (NWS) 

We are experiencing a weak La Nina, however our weather patterns aren’t completely following 

typical La Nina weather patterns. We have been experiencing the lower level temperatures, but 

our storms have been tracking in directly from the West, which isn’t typical. Weather events 

overpower climatic conditions. It looks like we are transitioning back to neutral conditions. 

Models show we will be in more neutral rather than La Nina conditions by February, but the 

actual atmospheric trends tend to lag behind the model a bit. 

Forecasts 

Time Period Temperature Precipitation 

6-10 Day ↑ probability of ↓ temperature ↑ probability of ↑

precipitation 

8-14 Day ↑ probability of ↓ temperature ↑ probability of ↓

precipitation 

February/March/April ↑ probability of ↑ temperature ↕ precipitation 

March/April/May ↑ probability of ↑ temperature ↕ precipitation 

**KEY: ↑ = increased; ↓ = decreased; ↨ = equal chances 

The drought monitor shows that western Colorado is not in a drought, however Western 

Colorado has entered into an abnormally dry to moderate drought since August 2016. 

Nationally, the western United States is looking much better now than it did in January 2016, but 

some areas in southern California are still in an extreme to exceptional drought. 

Special Flow Requests and Discussion 

Fishing outfitters request Reclamation begin their increased Aspinall Operations flows in high 

water years get started as early as possible in order to have the lowest impact on their outfitting 

operations. They request Reclamation continue to email forecast updates every couple weeks. 

The icing target at Blue Mesa is 7490’. This is the second year in row that the reservoir has not 

met the icing target. It was requested Reclamation try to hit the icing target in 2017. 

Reports of Agencies and Organizations 

FWS: 10,000 fish passed through the Redlands Fish Ladder in 2016, which is a record. There 

were 33 pikeminnow within a two week span in August. One razorback passed through the 

ladder. 
USGS: USGS gages typically transmit data every 15 minutes, and the data is updated on their 

website every hour. The USGS is updating three of their gages (Uncompahgre below Ridgway 

reservoir, Gunnison below the tunnel, and Colorado River at Cameo) to give more frequent 

updates. 

BLM: The local area (Delta County) is looking to improve its economic situation, typically with 

recreation and fishing. There is increasing sensitivity to the ability to fish and recreate in the 

area. 

UGRWCD: The USGS is putting a streamflow gage on the Gunnison immediately downstream 

of the bridge on Hwy 6 & 50. This will go online in April. Their cloud seeding generator is up 

and running in Irwin. 

FMC: Work on the outlet at Paonia Reservoir has been postponed until Fall 2017. 

Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies: There have not been any observations or reports of 

dust on snow. 

4U: They are watching for logs in the river so they can get them out before people start using the 

water park. 

CO Emergency Management Office: They will start holding public coordination meeting for 

public safety regarding flooding in March. If runoff starts sooner, they’ll hold their meetings 

sooner. 

UVWUA: There is a ton of snow at Taylor Dam. Need to do some work to remove trash at the 

Gunnison Tunnel inlet. 

Tri-County: Iron has retired and is being replaced by Tony Mitchell. They are releasing lower 

flows right now because the reservoir level is below average. Considering the runoff forecast, 

they may increase their releases. 

NPS: Chris Mangel is the new Chief Ranger at Curecanti. The new Chief Resource Manager is 

Kim Hartwig. NPS has had a very successful invasive aquatics prevention program for years, 

however 1/3 of those employees were hired and paid by CPW. This funding is gone, and there is 

no replacement. NPS is not sure what they’ll do, but in all likelihood, they will have fewer boat 

ramps operating and will need to cut back the hours of some of the ramps which will remain 

open. The Morrow Point boat tour is still going to happen this summer. 

WAPA: The opportunity to release extra water in February would be helpful. 

River District: the Lower Gunnison Draft Environmental Assessment will be out for public 

comment by the end of February. Their annual Small Grant Program applications are due 

January 31st. Their new State Rep is Mark Catlin. Dick Proctor passed away. 
TU: They encourage everyone to weigh in on the Lower Gunnison Draft EA. Encourages 

Reclamation to continue their excellent communications regarding Aspinall Operations and 

linking operations to Ridgway. 

CWCB: Their board meeting is next week, and the agenda is online. Included in the agenda is a 

discussion of NPS’ invasive aquatics prevention funding woes, as well as CWCB’s funding 

woes. They are still accepting grant applications, but funding is low. An agreement for Minute 

32x was not able to be put in place, so this will be up to the new administration. Secretary Jewell 

issued a Secretarial Order to continue work on 32x. Minute 319 expires soon. 

BOR Curecanti Field Office: It is time for some major upgrades to the power plants. Work at 

Crystal will begin next month, so that power plant will be down for about two months. Work at 

Morrow Point will begin in July, and units there will be down until the end of the year. Work at 

Blue Mesa is scheduled to begin in July 2018. 

BOR SLC Regional Office: Meeting the Whitewater peak may draw Morrow Point down to 

where they can’t operate the tour boat. In 2016, Morrow Point had to rise 20’ after the peak in 

order for the tour boat to operate. This could potentially happen this year, too. They might be 

able to raise Morrow Point before the peak to offset the amount it would need to rise after the 

peak. 

NEXT MEETING: Thursday, April 27, 2017 @ 1:00 PM at the WCAO Reclamation 

Office in Grand Junction, CO. 

January 17, 2017 Aspinall Operation Meeting Attendance

*indicates person attended meeting in person or by phone

Argonne National Laboratory......................................John Hayse, Kirk Lagory 

Black Canyon Anglers............................... Derek Kehmeier, Richard Dudginski 

Bureau of Land Management.............Rooster Barnhart, Edd Franz*, Wanda Lassiter, 

Chris Smith, Jason Young, Kevin Kobe, Katy Smith 

Bureau of Reclamation........Ed Warner*, Ted Dunn, Ryan Christianson*, Jenny Ward*, 

Paul Davidson, Justyn Liff, Erik Knight*,Rick Clayton*, Grant Watson, Larry Lingerfelt*, 

Randy Kramer*, David Speas*, David Klein, Dale Carpenter, Lesley McWhirter, Vern 

Harrell, Jed Parker*, Jesus Hernandez*, Amanda Ewing* 

CSAS-CODOS......................................................Jeff Derry, Chris Landry 

City of Grand Junction........................................Terry Franklin, Greg Trainor 

Club 20.............................................................................Reeves Brown 

Colorado Department of Agriculture.............................................Jim Miller 

Colorado Emergency Management........................................Drew Petersen* 

Colorado Mesa University....................................................Hannah Holm 

Colorado River Energy Distributors..........................................Leslie James 

Colorado River District...Dave Kanzer*, Jim Pokrandt, Eric Kuhn, Sonja Chavez 

Colorado State University.....................................................Brett Johnson 

Colorado Division of Water Resources....Pat McDermott, Bob Hurford*, Scott King, 

Richard Rozman, Luke Reschke, Jason Ullmann 
Colorado Parks and Wildlife....Jay Skinner, John Alves, Dan Brauch, Dan Kowalski, 

David Graf, Eric Gardunio 

Colorado Water Conservation Board...Michelle Garrison*, Ray Alvarado, Steve Miller , 

Karen Kwon 

Daily Sentinel..................................................................Dave Buchanan 

Delta County Independent...................................................Bob Borcharcht 

Delta County Commissioners........................... 

Delta County.............................................. 

City of Delta.....................................................Steve Glammeyer, Glen Black 

Delta County Emergency Management..........................................Jeff Wright 

Dolores WCD..........................................................................Ken Curtis 

Fire Mountain Canal Co.........................................................Steve Fletcher* 

Fish and Wildlife Service.....................Dale Ryden*, Jana Mohrman, DarekElverud* 

Gunnison Country Times.....................................................Michelle Burkhart 

Gunnison Basin POWER......................................... Butch Clark, Ramon Reed 

Gunnison County Commissioners...................................... 

Gunnison River Expeditions.......................................................Al DeGrange 

High Country Citizens Alliance.......Steve Glazer, Jennifer Boch, Wendy McDermott 

Interior Solicitor....................................................John Bezdek, Peter Fahmy 

City of Montrose...........................................Stephen Alcorn, Bob Nicholson 

Montrose Daily Press.................................................Katharhynn Heidelberg 

National Drought Mitigation Center...................................Donna Woudenberg 

NOAA......................Andrea Ray, Robert Webb, Klaus Wolter, Brad Udall, Kevin

Werner, Chad McNutt, Tracy Cox, Brenda Alcorn, John Lhotak, Greg Smith 

National Park Service.................Michael Dale*, Kim Hartwig, Christine Landrum, Mark 

Wondzell, Melissa Trammell, Jenny Rebenack, Rob Billerbeck, Bruce Noble*, Gene Seagle 

National Weather Service................................. Aldis Strautins*, Megan Stackhouse* 

NRCS..................Brian Domonkos, Lexi Landers, Karl Wetlaufer, Mage Hultstrand 

North Fork Water Conservancy................................................Tom Alvey 

Precision Water Resources Engineering..................................Mike Coleman 

Project 7............................................................................Adam Turner* 

Recovery Program.......................................................Tom Pitts, Tom Chart 

Redland Water and Power............................................................. 

Ridgway Guide Service......................................Tim Paterson, Matt McCannel 

Tri-County Water..............Mike Berry*,Ion Spor,Kathleen Margetts, Tony Mitchell* 

Trout Unlimited..................... Marshall Pendergrass, Cary Denison* Drew Peternell, 

John Trammell, Jesse Kruthaupt 

UVWUA...Ed Suppes*, Steve Anderson*, Steve Shea, Dennis Veo*, Michelle Decker, 

Tim Barrientos* 

Upper Gunnison River Water.............John McClow, Frank Kugel*, Ken Spann 

USGS...............................Ken Leib, Bob Jenkins, Steve Anders*, Trisha Solberg, 

Bryan Moore, Bob Kimbrough 

Xcel Energy...................................................................Kelly Flenniken 

Western Area Power.....Clayton Palmer, Jeff Ackerman, Jerry Wilhite*, Tim Vigil*, 

Tanya Newman, Chrystal Dean*, Tyson Taylor, Steve Johnson, Rachel Grubbs