Existing comment:
Reading the Waters:
The waters of the apparently placid river in front of you are deceptive. Due to a combination of forces and circumstances, water below the surface is moving at a greater pace.
Water moves in layers, this is termed laminar flow. In any stream, a rocky channel bottom impedes the flow of water at the deepest point. Each successively higher layer encounters less resistance until maximum velocity is reached just below the surface. Here at East Portal, the velocity at lower layers is increased due to the funneling of water through the Gunnison River Diversion Tunnel.
The 5.8 mile long tunnel and its diversion dam, completed in 1912, work together to provide water for irrigation in the Uncompahgre Valley to the south and west. At peak operation, water travels at 1000 cubic feet per second through the tunnel. This water is diverted from the layer below the surface creating dangerous undercurrents.
Crystal Dam located upstream from this site, can also contribute to a strong current. The Bureau of Reclamation has commitments to meet minimum stream flows for wildlife and fisheries below the Gunnison Diversion Dam. In addition, when generating electricity at Crystal Powerplant, the flow can be increased causing additional current velocity at varying times. |