dam's foundation started in March 1963. The Gunnison was diverted through its tunnel on October, with excavation of the foundation to bedrock immediately after. Placement of the dam embankments started in 1964, continuing through the year, with the dam embankment completed at the end of 1965. The diversion tunnel was partly closed in December and the reservoir began to fill, with final closure of the diversion tunnel on February 7, 1966. The dam project was declared complete on October 19, 1966. The powerplant project was delayed by a delivery accident to a transformer, which was damaged in an accident in September 1966 near Monarch Pass and had to be shipped back to its manufacturer in Sweden for repair. The powerplant was completed on February 16, 1968. Spillway modifications took place in 1984-85 to repair damage, while a uniform and largely cosmetic covering of riprap was applied to the dam face. Powerplant The Blue Mesa Powerplant is fed by one diameter penstock, which supplies two turbines, as well as feeding the outlet works. The laterals feeding the Francis turbines are controlled by butterfly valves. Initial generating capacity was 60 MW, increased in 1988 to 86.4 MW. The powerplant is located above ground at the toe of the dam. It operates as peaking plant. References External links Blue Mesa Dam at the Bureau of Reclamation Blue Mesa Powerplant at the Bureau of Reclamation Wayne N. Aspinall Storage Unit at Curecanti National Recreation Area Dams in Colorado Hydroelectric power plants in Colorado Buildings and structures in Gunnison County, Colorado Colorado River Storage Project Curecanti National Recreation Area United States Bureau of Reclamation dams Dams completed in 1966 Dams on the Gunnison River Earth-filled dams 1966 establishments in Colorado