placement on the dam took place on September 14, 1967. The diversion tunnel was closed on January 24, 1968, with releases through the outlet structures the next day. Final completion was achieved for the dam on October 7, 1968, while work continued on the powerplant. The plant was accepted and a visitor center was completed in 1971, with final completion on May 12, 1972. The dam's grout curtain was extended in 1970 after leakage into the power plant reached 429 gallons per minute, using asphaltic emulsion and cement grout, reducing leakage to 37 gpm. Powerplant Morrow Point Dam's powerplant is tunneled into the canyon wall below the surface at the dam's left abutment. It houses two 86.667 MW generators, uprated from 60 MW each in 1992-1993. The generating hall measures by , with between and of height. First operating in 1970, it is operated as a peaking plant. An exploratory tunnel became a ventilation tunnel, while initial access during construction was made through the cable tunnel, with two headings raising the head of the tunnel arch. An access tunnel intersects the generating hall at a right angle, with two draft tubes excavated below. In irrigation season the powerplant is operated as a base load plant, providing peaking power in other seasons. References External links Morrow Point Dam at the Bureau of Reclamation Morrow Point Powerplant at the Bureau of Reclamation Wayne N. Aspinall Storage Unit at Curecanti National Recreation Area Dams in Colorado Dams on the Gunnison River Arch dams Buildings and structures in Montrose County, Colorado Colorado River Storage Project Curecanti National Recreation Area Hydroelectric power plants in Colorado United States Bureau of Reclamation dams Dams completed in 1968 Energy infrastructure completed in 1968 1968 establishments in Colorado