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ITEM: |
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/STAFF REPORTS |
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13. |
CARMEL RIVER FISHERY REPORT |
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Meeting
Date: |
September 19, 2005 |
Budgeted: |
N/A |
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From: |
David A.
Berger, |
Program/ |
N/A |
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General
Manager |
Line Item No.: |
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Prepared
By: |
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Cost Estimate: |
N/A |
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General Counsel Approval: N/A |
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Committee Recommendation: N/A |
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CEQA Compliance:
N/A |
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AQUATIC HABITAT AND FLOW
CONDITIONS: During August 2005,
Carmel River streamflow conditions were good for juvenile steelhead rearing in
the reach upstream of the Narrows, but poor to critical below the Narrows,
necessitating steelhead rescues.
During August 2005, the mean daily streamflow recorded at the District’s Carmel River Sleepy Hollow Weir gaging station averaged 15.5 cubic feet per second (cfs) and ranged from 9.8 to 19 cfs.
There was no measurable rainfall in August as recorded by Cal-Am at San Clemente Dam (SCD). The long-term August average is 0.04 inches at this site. For Water Year (WY) 2005, rainfall totaled 29.95 inches through August, or 42% above the long-term accumulated monthly average of 21.18 inches.
CARMEL RIVER LAGOON: The river mouth closed in early
July and the lagoon filled with water, creating good fish habitat in the new
south arm. Unfortunately, the sand berm
breached, and much of the accumulated water drained from the lagoon. As
reported in the June fisheries staff note, the main body of the lagoon has a
high level of accumulated sand this year and coupled with the low water surface
elevation (WSE), the amount of steelhead rearing habitat is limited. Although water quality is currently suitable
for juvenile steelhead, problems could arise later this summer and fall, if
water temperature and salinity levels rise, and dissolved oxygen levels
decrease. The WSE continued to drop throughout August from approximately 5.7
feet to 3.0 feet by the end of the month.
Carmel River Lagoon WSE for August 2005
SLEEPY HOLLOW STEELHEAD REARING FACILITY (Facility): On July 14, 2005, staff began accepting rescued steelhead from the lower Carmel River.
As of August 31, approximately 15,409 fish were being held at the Facility, including 1,561 yearling fish and 13,848 young-of-the-year (YOY) fish, with an overall survival rate of 84%.
JUVENILE STEELHEAD RESCUES: Fish rescues started at the Highway 1 Bridge on July 14, 2005. As of August 31, 2005, approximately 20,854 juveniles have been rescued from areas downstream of Valley Greens Bridge (River Mile 4.8), including approximately 3,644 fish rescued by the Carmel River Steelhead Association and delivered to Sleepy Hollow.
U:\staff\word\boardpacket\2005\2005boardpackets\20050919\InfoItems\13\item13.doc