Reservoirs 'in good shape,' BuRec says

MONTROSE — Planning for early runoff helped put the Aspinall Unit in good shape, the Bureau of Reclamation says.

"We were pleased with the operation. Because we were able to manage things and store water, we're in good shape for the fall and going into the winter," BuRec Water Management Group Chief Dan Crabtree said.

The Aspinall Unit is composed of Blue Mesa, Morrow Point and Crystal reservoirs. A unit operations meeting was held Thursday.

BuRec in May announced new water releases as part of a new flow regime established after the conclusion of litigation concerning river water in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

Blue Mesa's inflow for May was forecasted at 690,000 acre feet. The June 1 forecast jumped it to 790,000 af.

"A lot of that was the result of precipitation that occurred in late May and also the fact that we got some good runoff in May," Crabtree said. "We had more runoff in May than average."

BuRec went to higher releases to avoid having to spill Blue Mesa Reservoir. Crabtree said the reservoir came within three inches of spilling over, so releases were increased to gain control. At one point, the reservoir contained only 2,000 spare acre feet of storage.

"Considering the size of that lake, that's not a lot of room," he said.

BuRec officials suspect dust on the snowpack may have hastened spring runoff. Crabtree said that possibility was factored into the spring forecast. "We expected (runoff) to come a little earlier and a little more, and it did," he said. "Whether it was actually because of dust on snow, or whatever, it worked out. We think that (dust) was a factor."

The forecast for fall and winter is in the average range, Crabtree said, and reservoir conditions are currently "excellent."

BuRec will slowly decrease releases from Crystal over the next few months to allow the Division of Wildlife to conduct its annual fish surveys.

Additionally, BuRec wants to have lower flows to encourage brown trout to spawn in deeper water. That way, when the water recedes, there is less chance of the eggs being left high and dry, which could happen if spawning occurs in shallower water.

Crabtree said flows will increase in December and January to help meet demands for power production.

The Aspinall Unit's next operations meeting will be Jan. 21 in Montrose.