The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Reservoir capacity about 72 percent of normal
Snow is melting, more water is moving and commercial and recreational boaters, anglers and other users are considering the months ahead—for business, but also sustainability.
The Taylor Local Users Group (TLUG) held its first seasonal meeting in Gunnison on Tuesday, April 7 to discuss current water supply conditions in the Taylor River basin. A preliminary operating plan regarding projected water levels and release dates was produced.
As of April 7, Taylor Park Reservoir was at a storage level of 79,294 acre-feet, which is 72 percent of normal and down from 88 percent on March 15.
Frank Kugel, general manager of the Upper Gunnison River Water Shed District (UGRWCD), explained the overall plan. “The TLUG reviewed [the preliminary operating plan] and recommended seeking lower flows in October to allow higher flows earlier in the season,” he said. “This reduced water supply will likely have an adverse impact on irrigators and recreational users, particularly in late summer and early fall.”
The TLUG will meet again in early May to finalize a recommendation for consideration by the UGRWCD board and the final approval will ultimately be issued by four parties: The UGRWCD, United States Bureau of Reclamation, Uncompahgre Valley Water Users and the Colorado River Water Conservation District.
