Hydrologic Activity

The hydrology at Curecanti has been altered significantly by the construction of dams and reservoirs. The reservoirs impacted stream flows, water temperature, fish species, and riparian habitats. This landscape represents both the benefits and consequences of water use in the West.

History

Curecanti National Recreation Area is administered by the National Park Service (NPS) through a February 11, 1965, Memorandum of Agreement between the NPS and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) and is part of the National Park System. The park is composed of a chain of three reservoirs that make up the Wayne N. Aspinall Unit (formerly the Curecanti Unit) of the Colorado River Storage Project, operated by the BOR.

The NPS was designated as the agency responsible for carrying out the operation and maintenance of public recreation facilities, public use and enjoyment, and natural and cultural resource protection under the Colorado River Storage Project Act. The BOR manages all three dams, their infrastructure, and water flows throughout the Wayne N. Aspinall Unit.

 

Dams at Curecanti

This map shows the dams at Curecanti National Recreation Area. The dams are labeled with black pop up icons with white dam pictograms. These pop ups are clickable and display the dam name, elevation, and link to another website with details. Blue shaded areas show water. Green shaded areas with a dark green border are the national park and recreation area boundaries. Beige shaded areas are private land. Very light green shaded areas are U.S. Forest Service land.

 

Blue Mesa Dam spilling

NPS Photo/Troy Hunt

Blue Mesa Dam

Blue Mesa Dam is an earth fill embankment with a structural height of 390 feet, a crest length of 785 feet, and a volume of 3,080,000 cubic yards of materials. It was the first large dam built on the Gunnison River. The dam was officially completed in 1966.

Blue Mesa Reservoir is 20 miles long with 96 miles of shoreline. While Blue Mesa Dam does produce hydroelectricity, its primary purpose is water storage.

Overlooks
Blue Mesa Dam can be viewed from the Blue Mesa Dam Overlook on CO Highway 92, approximately 1 mile from the junction with U.S. Highway 50.

 

Morrow Point Dam spilling

NPS Photo/Troy Hunt

Morrow Point Dam

Morrow Point Dam was completed in 1968 and lies 12 miles below Blue Mesa Dam. This dam created a deep, narrow reservoir between the steep walls of the Black Canyon. The dam is a concrete, double curvature, thin arch dam rising 469ft. high. It was the first dam of its type built by the Bureau of Reclamation. The primary function of Morrow Point Dam is the production of hydroelectricity. With two 83,000kw generators, its power capacity is 172,000kw - almost twice the power capacity of Blue Mesa Dam.

Overlooks
Morrow Point Dam can be viewed from the Mesa Creek Trailhead at Cimarron.

 

Crystal Dam spilling into the Gunnison River

NPS Photo

Crystal Dam

Crystal Dam was completed in 1976 and lies six miles below Morrow Point Dam. Like Morrow Point, Crystal Dam is a concrete, double curvature, thin arch dam. Approximately 2 miles below the dam is the eastern boundary of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park; the Gunnison River continues from there. The purpose of Crystal Dam is to stabilize and regulate the flow of water through the national park. Crystal Dam also produces some hydroelectricity as a secondary function.

Overlooks
Crystal Dam can be seen from the end of the East Portal Road.

 

Hydrologic Changes

The Gunnison River streamflow is regulated by the dams to fulfill water commitments for the Upper Basin and Lower Basin states. The reservoirs are also used for water storage, flood control, and creation of hydroelectric power. Water from high mountain streams also empties into the reservoirs and contributes to the overall flow.