Aspinall Unit Operations Meeting 

January 20, 2022 

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. 

Water Supply Outlook – Ashley Nielson (CBRFC) 

Fall moisture conditions have improved from near record dry levels last year but still remain 

below normal. Snow accumulation had a slow start until late December when impressive storms 

with significant SWE (snow water equivalent) arrived. So far the northern half of the Gunnison 

Basin is doing better than the southern half. 

Gunnison basin runoff averages have transitioned from the 1981-2010 period to the 1991-2020 

period. This results in averages about 5% to 15% less than previous. This also means water 

supply forecast volumes will show a higher percent of average compared with the same volume 

last year. 

The January mid-month forecast for Blue Mesa Reservoir is 650 Kaf (102% of average). There is 

still much uncertainty in the forecast as 60% of the snow accumulation season remains. Future 

runoff forecasts will be dependent on late winter and early spring weather and snow conditions.

Aspinall Unit Operations 

Current Conditions: Blue Mesa Reservoir finished 2021 at an elevation of 7434.5 ft, which is 55 

feet below the winter target of 7490 ft. Current content at Blue Mesa Reservoir is 235,000 AF 

which is 28% full. Releases at Crystal Dam are 325 cfs and flows in the Gunnison River through 

the Black Canyon are 325 cfs. Flows in the Gunnison River at the Whitewater gage are estimated 

to be just above the baseflow target of 750 cfs. (current readings at the Whitewater gage are iceaffected) 

Snowpack: After a December snow accumulation at 225% of average, snowpack in the Upper 

Gunnison Basin is currently 143% of normal. Snowpack for the entire Gunnison Basin is at 

131% of normal. So far January snow accumulation is right at average. 

Spring Flow Targets: Current runoff forecasts for major streams within the Gunnison Basin 

range between 80% and 110% of average. The runoff forecast for Blue Mesa Reservoir would 

put this year into the Average Dry category. In the Average Dry category the ROD peak target 

would be 8,070 cfs. In an Average Dry year there are 10 days of duration at the half bankfull 

flow of 8,070 cfs. This essentially makes the peak at the Whitewater gage a 10 day peak. The 

Black Canyon water right 1 day peak flow target would be 5,250 cfs if the May 1 forecast is the 
same as the January 15 forecast. The shoulder flow target would be 540 cfs for the period from 

May 1 to July 25. 

Future Operations: After the spring peak, operations at Aspinall will continue to meet the 

baseflow targets at the Whitewater gage. In the Average Dry category these targets range 

between 1050 cfs and 1500 cfs from spring into winter. Blue Mesa Reservoir is currently 

projected to fill to a maximum content of 530,000 AF (64% full). 

Weather Outlook – Aldis Strautins (NWS) 

Water year 2021 temperatures were above average and precipitation was below average in the 

Gunnison Basin. So far in water year 2022, temperatures have been much above average in the 

fall and early winter. September thru early December were very dry but late December has 

provided significant precipitation. January has returned to warmer and drier conditions. 

Drought conditions have improved since the fall of 2021. La Nina conditions are expected to 

continue into the spring and then give way to ENSO neutral conditions. Little precipitation is 

expected over the next week and warmer than average temperatures are expected for the next 

few weeks going into February. 

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program – Daly Ryden (FWS) 

The Recovery Program was established in 1988 to address conflicts between the Endangered 

Species Act and water development. The goal of the program is to recover the endangered fish as 

water development proceeds in compliance with the Endangered Species Act and all applicable 

water laws, compacts, and agreements. Flow recommendations exist for many Upper Colorado 

Basin rivers including: Green River, White River, Colorado River, Gunnison River and San Juan 

River. Flow recommendations typically consist of spring peaks and baseflows. 

It is difficult to measure the success of the Flow Recommendations for the Upper Colorado 

Basin rivers since many of the years during implementation of the program have been on the 

drier side of historical hydrology. 

The number of Colorado Pikeminnow using the Gunnison River historical habitat remains low. 

The number of razorback suckers using the habitat has been increasing but much of this is from 

stocking. Larval fish sampling data confirms razorbacks are successfully spawning in the 

Gunnison River. 
Reports from Agencies 

BLM GGNCA – Alex Miller, Henry Atkinson, Edd Franz – Highest commercial use in 2021 

and private use was up too. BLM is continuing to work on designating campsites and 

developing and allocation/reservation system on the Gunnison River through Dominguez 

Escalante NCA. 

WAPA – Chrystal Dean, Derek Fryer – Watching drought operations closely. Implemented a 

new 2-year rate. Used Reclamation flow modeling to determine rate to help alleviate pressures 

on the basin fund. Energy pricing shows summer pricing spiking. 

CPW – Eric Gardunio, Dan Brauch, Ryan Unterreiner – Eric – added flows during spawning 

period would help increase the spawning habitat. Flows to sample in Oct for rainbow 

population. Smallmouth bass suppression efforts have been successful. Screen on Ridgway 

Reservoir is complete which helps. Dan- drought conditions impacts to boat the reservoir. 

Kokanee spawn take was up. Full schedule of Kokanee this year. Lake trout tournament was 

successful and happy with the population, so no tournament this year. Ryan – transferred water 

from Silver Jack through Cimmeron State wildlife area ~1100 af over a few months. 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Dale Ryden, Darek Elverud, Dave Graf, Julie Stahli, Aimee 

Crittendon, Ann Timberman, Kathleen Gissing – continue larval fish monitoring through 

spring. Fall monitoring as in past years. 

Tri County WCD – Mike Berry, Kathleen Margetts, Tony Mitchell & Teddy – Fish screen 

at Ridgway is nearly complete and will be operational. Will be nice to fill without worrying 

about spilling. 13-14’ higher in the reservoir than last year. 

Trout Unlimited – Cary Dennison, Marshall Pendergrass – Marshall (concerns are the 

spawning flows late march early April. Would like flows 450 cfs. Cary- keep eye on diversions 

on South Canal. Noted flows dipped below 300cfs. Marshall – appreciate work of partners. 

Adding another mile of public water in Montrose. 

Hutchins Water Center (CMU) – Hanna Holm - 

USGS - Steve Anders – Absent but sent report: O&M issues at Silver Jack Res and Paonia Res. 

Many of the streamgages are affected by ice but we’re still visiting all the sites and making 

discharge measurements. We’re hoping CO maintains abv avg snowpack. 

UVWUA - Steve Pope, Doug Wilson, Daris Jutton, David Bridges – winter maintenance 

Fire Mountain Canal & Paonia Reservoir – Steve Fletcher – annual shareholder meeting 

tonight. High pressure gage is working. 

CWCB – Michelle Garrison, - Next board meeting next Monday/Tuesday before water 

congress virtual only. Agenda posted online. In stream flow leases and filing. Water planning 

relevant to the Gunnison Basin. 100 year anniversary of the Colorado River Compact. 500+ 
plan for lower basin conservation – keep a lookout for that. Tier 1 shortage will be taken by 

lower basin. DROA- upper basin reliant on hydrology, so forecast will determine a lot. 

Colorado DWR – Bob Hurford, Greg Brown, Jason Ullman – Jason has taken a different 

position, Greg Brown will be Jason’s replacement. A few vacant positions left to fill.

Colorado River WCD – Dave Kanzer, Raquel Flinker – Board meeting moved to February. 

Community Partner program is still approving projects for muli-benefit, multi-purpose projects. 

Reclamation Provo Area Office – Gary Henrie – Similar hydrology conditions, below 30-yr 

median and hit record lows. 

Reclamation Power Office – Eric Langley, Dave Klein, Grant Wilson – construction 

improvements completed Dec 2nd. Should be open this spring., Travis Jensen – normal outages 

and maintenance