From email from Reclamation (Erik Knight):
Releases from the Aspinall Unit will be decreased from 1650 cfs to 1550 cfs on Tuesday, August 20th. Releases are being decreased as flows on the lower Gunnison River are well above the baseflow target of 1050 cfs. Further reductions in the release at Crystal may occur soon if river levels remain well above the target.
Flows in the lower Gunnison River are currently above the baseflow target of 1050 cfs. River flows are expected to remain above the baseflow target for the foreseeable future.
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 1050 cfs for August through December.
Currently, Gunnison Tunnel diversions are 1050 cfs and flows in the Gunnison River through the Black Canyon are around 600 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 around 500 cfs. Current flow information is obtained from provisional data that may undergo revision subsequent to review.
This scheduled release change is subject to changes in river flows and weather conditions. For questions or concerns regarding these operations contact:
Erik Knight at (970) 248-0629, e-mail eknight@usbr.gov