Aspinall Unit operations update July 12, 2024: Bumping releases to 2200 cfs

A double rainbow arches over the Painted Wall in Black Canyon at Gunnison National Park. Photo Credit: Dave Showalter

From email from Reclamation (Erik Knight):

Releases from the Aspinall Unit will be increased from 1900 cfs to 2200 cfs by Friday, July 12th.  Releases are being increased in response to declining river flows on the lower Gunnison River.

Flows in the lower Gunnison River are currently below the baseflow target of 1500 cfs. River flows are expected to remain low into next week.

Pursuant to the Aspinall Unit Operations Record of Decision (ROD), the baseflow target in the lower Gunnison River, as measured at the Whitewater gage, is 1500 cfs for July and then drops to 1050 cfs in August.

Currently, Gunnison Tunnel diversions are 1050 cfs and flows in the Gunnison River through the Black Canyon are around 950 cfs. After this release change Gunnison Tunnel diversions will still be 1050 cfs and flows in the Gunnison River through the Black Canyon will be nearing 1200 cfs. Current flow information is obtained from provisional data that may undergo revision subsequent to review.

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