Rivers and Streams

Did You Know?

Aquatic resources are one of the fundamental resources and values identified in the park's foundation document. Exceptional water quality and sufficient quantity sustain the recreational and ecological function of the Gunnison River, its reservoirs and tributaries, and the associated water-dependent processes. 

 

Anglers and rafters recreate on the Gunnison River near Wilson's Landing.

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Tributaries to the Gunnison River drain from the West Elk Mountains, San Juan Mountains, and Uncompahgre Plateau.

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Gunnison River

The Gunnison River starts at the confluence of the Taylor River and East River. Snowmelt from the Sawatch (Saguache) Range in west-central Colorado feeds the headwaters of the river. The river was previously known as the Grand River, in addition to other names before the mid-1800s. It was renamed after John Williams Gunnison, an U.S. army officer who led expeditions to find a railroad route through the Rocky Mountains and Black Canyon.

Tributaries to the Gunnison River drain from the West Elk Mountains, San Juan Mountains, and Uncompahgre Plateau. The river runs about 200 miles (322 km) in a western direction before joining with the Colorado River near Grand Junction, Colorado. 11 miles of the Gunnison River flows within Curecanti National Recreation Area; a total of 40 miles including the reservoirs. Another 14 miles continues through Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, downstream of Crystal Dam and East Portal.

For the past two million years, the Gunnison River has moved sediment, rocks, and gravel to erode through volcanic, sedimentary, and Precambrian basement rocks. Over time, the waters carved a steep canyon nearly half a mile deep. The estimated rate of erosion is one inch (3 cm) per 100 years. Although parts of the canyon are now dammed and flows are controlled, water carrying grit and gravel continues to have an erosive force.

 

 

River Characteristics

On the eastern side of Curecanti National Recreation Area, the Gunnison River flows from the town of Gunnison into a small canyon. It varies in width and depth and is dramatically affected by spring snowmelt and releases from the Taylor Reservoir upstream. Anglers and rafters are often seen along this section. The river is a dynamic system that naturally meanders and braids into smaller channels through the sections of wide valleys. During low river flows, shallow areas reveal rocky islands. Vegetation is thick along the banks near the Neversink Trail and Cooper Ranch, but sparse as it moves westward. The river winds its way towards the Lake City Bridge, past Beaver Creek and Wilson’s Landing, and begins to widen. After the bridge, the historic river channel disappears under the deep waters of the Blue Mesa Reservoir.

Wayne N. Aspinall Storage Unit

The Gunnison River is dammed to create the Wayne N. Aspinall Storage Unit. The Wayne N. Aspinall Unit is one of the four main units of the Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP), a project to provide water storage for the Upper Colorado River Basin states of Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Utah. Between 1965 and 1976, three dams created three reservoirs in the upstream Curecanti National Recreation Area: Blue Mesa Reservoir, Morrow Point Reservoir, and Crystal Reservoir. The reservoirs are used for both water storage and hydroelectric power. Water from several high mountain streams empty into the reservoirs, contributing the overall flow. The Gunnison Tunnel, located just east of the park boundary at East Portal, diverts water from the Gunnison River towards Montrose for agricultural purposes. Once it reaches the boundary of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, it resembles a river yet again.

 

Chipeta Falls forms from Corral Creek, a tributary into Morrow Point Reservoir.

NPS/Lisa Stoorza

Streams and Tributaries

Many tributaries from mountain streams enter into the reservoirs. Approximately 53 miles (83 km) of tributary streams are within the recreation area boundary. Routine monitoring of tributary inflows is important for maintaining and understanding water quality.

The following tributaries, contribute to the overall flows of the reservoirs:

• Beaver Creek, Steuben Creek, East Elk Creek, Cebolla Creek, Red Creek, West Elk Creek, and Soap Creek flow into Blue Mesa Reservoir.

• Corral Creek (which forms Chipeta Falls), Pine Creek, Curecanti Creek, and Blue Creek flow into Morrow Point Reservoir.

• Cimarron River, Mesa Creek, and Crystal Creek flow into Crystal Reservoir.

Ephemeral streams that only run in spring from snowmelt runoff or after large summer monsoon storms also contribute to all of the reservoirs.

Threats

Decreases in water quality, drought, decreased snowpack and inflow, loss of riparian vegetation, and changes in aquatic species diversity are all threats to the river ecosystem that are seen today. The reservoirs have also seen worsening water quality during low water years, with harmful algal blooms increasing in prevalence. Climate change has played a critical role in these worsening conditions due to aridification with increased temperatures leading to higher rates of evaporation and a less reliable snowpack.

Preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species, such as quagga or zebra mussels, is also critical to maintaining healthy ecosystems on the river and reservoirs.

 

Resources

Colorado Encyclopedia. “John W. Gunnison.” Accessed November 18, 2024. https://coloradoencyclopedia.org/article/john-w-gunnison. 

Redmond, Zachary. “Wayne Aspinall Unit Colorado River Storage Project.” Bureau of Reclamation, 2000. https://www.usbr.gov/projects/pdf.php?id=87 

U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service and Others. 1979. Wild and Scenic River Study and Final Environmental Statement 

U.S. Geological Survey. “Geology of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.” Accessed November 18, 2024. https://www.usgs.gov/geology-and-ecology-of-national-parks/geology-black-canyon-gunnison-national-park

Weissinger, R. and Gibney, N. 2019. Status and trends in water quality at Curecanti National Recreation Area and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, 2001–2014. Natural Resource Report. NPS/NCPN/NRR—2019/1858. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado 

 

Open Descriptive Transcript

Descriptive Transcript

A small creek flows through a dense forested area. Tree trunks and ground vegetation is visible along the edge of the creek. The water creates a constant rushing sound.

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15.548 seconds

Red Creek is a tributary to Blue Mesa Reservoir from the West Elk Mountains.