Filling operations in the reservoir began on March 14, 1977, permanently blocking the diversion tunnel on April 12. The powerplant was not completed until 1978, the victim of a fire in the contractor's warehouse that destroyed many electrical components intended for the plant. Because of Crystal Dam's then-new design, and as a result of the failure of the contemporary Teton Dam in 1976, Crystal Dam was inspected in 1978 by divers to verify the integrity of the structure. References External links Crystal Dam at the Bureau of Reclamation Crystal Powerplant at the Bureau of Reclamation Wayne N. Aspinall Storage Unit at Curecanti National Recreation Area Dams in Colorado Buildings and structures in Montrose County, Colorado Arch dams United States Bureau of Reclamation dams Hydroelectric power plants in Colorado Colorado River Storage Project Curecanti National Recreation Area Dams completed in 1977 Energy infrastructure completed in 1977 Dams on the Gunnison River 1977 establishments in Colorado