Aspinall Unit Operations Meeting

April 27, 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 occurring in January, April, and August of each year.

Gunnison River Basin Runoff Forecasts – Ashley Nielson (CBRFC)

Water year 2017 had a slow start, with the Gunnison Basin receiving only 35% of its average 

precipitation. However, due to periodic “atmospheric rivers,” narrow corridors of significant 

moisture was transported farther inland that usual, and the Gunnison received 85% and 170% 

its average precipitation in November and December, respectively. During January and 

February, the Gunnison Basin received 245% and 105% of average precipitation, and many 

SNOTEL sites in the basin were within the top four highest precipitation years in the 30-37 

years on record.

During March, precipitation went the opposite, extreme direction, with the Gunnison Basin 

receiving only 55% of average precipitation. Mean daily temperatures reached 15-25 degrees 

above average. From March to April, snow conditions in the Gunnison basin dropped from 

between anywhere between 150-300% of average to around 90-110% of average. The lack of 

precipitation and the higher temperatures resulted in a decrease in forecasted reservoir inflows 

and an early runoff in some areas.

The North Fork Gunnison River peaks are utilized by Reclamation to help meet the peak flows 

described in the Aspinall Operations Record of Decision (ROD). The Somerset Local flow 

drives the seasonal peak on the North Fork as it is the larger contributor. This peak often 

coincides with higher flows from Paonia Reservoir due to the reservoir passing inflows until 

later in the runoff season. The timing of these two peak flows coincide most of the time; if 

they don’t, it could reduce the peak flow on the North Fork. Models have indicated that there 

has already been significant snow melt in this area. Higher flows will return in May, however 

they may not greatly exceed recent levels. This could affect the amount of water which would 

need to be released from the Aspinall Unit in order to meet the peak flow requirements outlined 

in the ROD. The longest period of higher sustained flows on the North Fork still appears it will 

occur between the 2nd week of May and early June.

CBRFC currently does not anticipate a change or even a slight rise to the Blue Mesa inflow 

forecast if the precipitation forecast pans out. However, a dry start to May could impact the 

mid-May forecast. The model error on May 1st is around 11% historically.

Weather Outlook – Aldis Strautins (NWS)

Drought conditions in the western United States have improved significantly with the 

introduction of moisture from atmospheric rivers over the winter. Overall, this winter 
experienced higher than average temperatures. ENSO modeling shows we will transition into a 

weak El Nino this fall, and we are currently in a neutral area. The weather outlook for the area 

is above average temperatures with above average precipitation through the summer and fall. 

The area will return to equal chances for above/below average temperatures and precipitation 

by the November-December-January timeframe.

2017 Aspinall Unit Operations – Erik Knight (USBR)

Runoff Forecast: The April 15th forecasted unregulated inflow to Blue Mesa Reservoir is 

850,000 AF, which is within the moderately wet category. The moderately wet category 

includes a duration requirement of 40 days of half-bankfull stage (8,070 cfs) at the Whitewater 

gage, with a 10 day peak flow duration of 14,350 cfs at the Whitewater gage. Blue Mesa 

Reservoir is expected to fill to 710 Kaf by the end of June, which is about 85% full.

Projected Operations: Assuming the forecast doesn’t change, the Black Canyon water right

peak flow is 6,427 cfs. If the forecast remains the same and Reclamation is in a moderately 

wet year, the Gunnison River flow scenario includes a Black Canyon peak of 9,700 cfs and a 

Whitewater peak of 14,700 cfs. This will require a 10-day ramp up and a 9-day ramp down. 

All three reservoirs of the Aspinall Unit are expected to spill. The projected peak flows at 

Delta are 12,800 cfs. Baseflow targets at Whitewater would be 1,050 cfs for the remainder of 

the year.

Specific dates to expect releases for the peak flows are uncertain; however, Reclamation will 

attempt to meet the peak flow requirement while the North Fork River is peaking, and the 

North Fork historically peaks during the second half of May. Many different factors and 

considerations go into how and when Reclamation can meet the peak flow target at 

Whitewater, including the amount of water/head which is in Blue Mesa, and correspondingly, 

Reclamation’s ability to spill enough water.

Special Flow Requests

BLM: BLM stated that it would be nice if flows in the Black Canyon could be below 5,000 cfs 

by June first to facilitate success of the stonefly hatch.

CPW: CPW will be conducting their annual sampling the week of October 2nd. The sampling 

is most successful at flows between 800 – 1000 cfs.

Reports of Agencies

NPS – There is a new marina at Elk Creek, but they are struggling to get electricity to it. They 

are also getting a new tour boat, and plan on launching it at Morrow Point this summer. Kim 

Hartwig went from acting to permanent Chief of Resource Management. Their ANS 

inspection stations will be fully staffed this summer, and all boat ramps will be open.

NWS – They are making some formatting changes to their flash flood and flood warning/watch 

information in October. They may need to discuss this with folks who use that data more 

often. Their website has experienced periodic issues, so if anyone experiences issues, please 

let them know so they can work on fixing them.

UVWUA – They have five hydropower plants up and running, and are providing 

approximately 20% of the power required in Delta and Montrose counties. They are involved 
in a water banking study. Dr. Burt with Cal Poly has determined that it is not feasible to 

line/pipe canals on the west side of their project. UVWUA will pursue recommendations of 

installing structures to better control flows and make the canals more efficient.

USGS – Nothing to report.

Tri-County – Tony Mitchell is the new dam tender and superintendent, and has been with TriCounty since last June. They are working on filling Ridgway Reservoir without spilling 

because there are small mouth bass in the reservoir. Their target is to get the reservoir 

approximately 2 feet below the spillway.

Upper Gunnison – The USGS is putting in a new gage at the Gunnison white water park. This 

will help establish their water right from May – September. It will also measure the 

temperature. 

BLM – BLM appreciates the updates from Reclamation on Aspinall Operations so they can 

continue to get the word out.

FWS – Don Anderson introduced himself as the new Upper Colorado River Recovery Program 

instream flow coordinator and hydrologist.

CPW – CPW is planning their third small mouth bass tournament at Ridgway Reservoir this 

summer. They coupled the previous two with population modeling to determine required 

efforts needed for the long-term decline in the population. Modeling indicated that doing a 

longer tournament could create a long-term impact, so the tournament will be longer this year. 

CPW is able to fund the Ridgway ANS inspection station this year.

Kokanee salmon numbers at Blue Mesa Reservoir are rebounding. Part of this is attributed to 

their habitat rebounding once the 2013 drought passed. In addition, they have been working on 

reducing the number of lake trout to reduce predation on the Kokanee. They have reduced 

approximately 30% of the lake trout population to date. They had a record 17 million egg take 

in 2016. They have also reduced the bag limit for Kokanee salmon from ten to five. CPW will 

be able to find 6 inspectors to run their ANS stations this year, so all the boat ramps will remain 

open.

River District – Their annual reports are available. The Mesa County State of the River 

meeting is going to be on May 15th at the Avalon in Grand Junction. The Gunnison State of the 

River meeting will be held on May 31st at the Montrose Pavilion. These two meetings will be 

Eric Kuhn’s last State of the River meetings before retirement.

Delta County Emergency Management – They expressed thanks for being kept in the loop.

TU – TU has been working on smaller tributary projects. They encourage a continued 

communications stream. They are holding a meeting for North Fork water users in Hotchkiss 

on May 18th.

Black Canyon Anglers – They expressed thanks for being kept in the loop.

Gunnison River Pro – The earlier the releases could be made to meet the required peaks, the 

better.
WAPA – Energy prices are affordable right now.

Mesa County – They are pleased with how the Colorado River is looking. They haven’t had to 

close the river since 2011. They are in their 4th year of active response to the West Salt Creek 

landslide. The landslide resulted in the loss of approximately 1/3 of the volume of a pond at 

the top of the creek, and a flood wave over 14 feet in height came down the creek. They are 

keeping an eye on it.

Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies – The Center provided an update on dust on snow 

conditions. There have been a total of four dust on snow events so far this year. The third 

event took place at the end of March, and the fourth event took place between April 8th and 9th. 

Dust layers merged in the show until about April 21st, and then it came to the surface. Since 

then, the layer has returned to about 6 to 7 inches below the surface. These conditions are 

currently classified as “average.”

CWCB – They are hoping for a new director to be on board by June. Lauren Ris is acting 

director in the meantime. Their next board meeting will be held the week of May 17th and 18th

at Pagosa Springs. Their July board meeting will be held in Crested Butte, and will include 

more discussion on the Gunnison Basin.

Rebecca – CU Graduate Student – She is doing a study at how water users look at drought risk 

management (where they get their information, etc.). It was an interesting meeting.

Dept. of Water Resources – Dick Wolfe, the Colorado State Engineer, is retiring in June. Steve 

Tuck, the District 40 Water Commissioner is retiring at the end of April after serving 46 years. 

He is being replaced by Luke Reschke. The Department is looking to publish their data on a 

more frequent basis. They currently publish it every spring, and this may increase to monthly.

BOR Power Office – They are ready to move forward with the 2017 Aspinall Operations.

BOR Regional Office – They are looking forward to coordinating with the Area Office to 

successfully implement the 2017 Aspinall Operations.

NEXT MEETING: Thursday, August 17, 2017 at the Elk Creek Visitors Center at Blue 

Mesa Reservoir

April 27, 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, Kevin Kobe*

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

CSAS-CODOS...........................................................................Jeff Derry

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

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

Colorado Department of Agriculture.............................................Jim Miller
Colorado Mesa University....................................................Hannah Holm

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

Colorado River Water Conservation 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, Don Anderson*

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 

Mesa County Emergency Management.....................................Andy Martsolf*

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, Ashley Nielson*, 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* 

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, Teddy Earley, 

Tony Mitchell*

Trout Unlimited.....................PatOglesby, 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, Brett 

Redden*

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, Rachelle Grubbs*