ITEM:		INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/STAFF REPORTS
28.	CARMEL RIVER FISHERY REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 2009
Meeting Date:			December 14, 2009	Budgeted:	N/A
From:			Darby Fuerst,	Program/	N/A
			General Manager	Line Item No.:
Prepared By:			Cory Hamilton	Cost Estimate:	N/A
General Counsel Review: N/A
Committee Recommendation: N/A
CEQA Compliance: N/A

AQUATIC HABITAT AND FLOW CONDITIONS: Streamflow conditions for fish migration were marginal for any early smolts and good for juvenile fish, with continuous flow to the lagoon throughout the month.

During November 2009, the mean daily streamflow recorded at the District’s Carmel River at Sleepy Hollow Weir gaging station averaged 24.1 cubic feet per second (cfs) and ranged from 20 to 31 cfs. Unimpaired runoff at San Clemente Dam (SCD) for the month of November 2010 was 1,480 AF, which was 138% of the normal November mean of 1,069 AF. Unimpaired runoff at SCD for Water Year (WY) 2010 to date, which started the first of October, has totaled approximately 6,551 AF or about 353% of the long-term average to date for this site, and 10% of the long term annual average of 68,673 AF. During November 2009, 0.22 inches of rainfall was recorded at California American Water’s (CAW) SCD. The rainfall total for the month of November was 10% of the normal mean of 2.13 inches at SCD. The rainfall total for WY 2010 is 5.33 inches, which is 187% of the long-term average to date at this site, and 25% of the long term annual average of 21.4 inches.

CARMEL RIVER LAGOON: During November 2009, the lagoon’s water-surface elevation (WSE) ranged from approximately 1.58 to 9.7 feet above mean sea level (see graph below). The lagoon sand bar was breached by Monterey County Public Works crews on November 7, 2009, after the lagoon’s water-surface elevation (WSE) rose to approximately 9.7 feet above mean sea level. Water quality in the lagoon was not sampled by staff this month, due to focusing on fish releases.

SLEEPY HOLLOW STEELHEAD REARING FACILITY: Staff started releases on November 6, 2009, and finished on December 1, 2009. A total of 12,759 fish were stocked at the Sleepy Hollow Steelhead Rearing Facility (SHSRF) during the 2009 rescue season. Staff released 8,802 fish, 4,711 into the South Arm Lagoon (fish length 6 inches and larger), 50 into San Clemente Reservoir (fish length greater than 11 inches with resident characteristics) and 4,041 were stocked in the lower river from approximately river mile 10.8 to 5.4 (fish length less than 6 inches). The survival rate at SHSRF for the season was 69%. Two dead oak trees that posed potential for damaging the rearing channel and filtration equipment were removed on November 30, 2009.

ADULT STEELHEAD AT SCD: The fish counter and video camera were installed at the ladder on October 17, 2009. The first fish recorded over the counter was on the same day. Two fish have been counted at SCD in October and none in November. Further evaluation of the video will determine if these are sea-run or resident fish. No additional fish have been observed passing the SCD ladder. There were no fish reported at the CAW Los Padres Dam Fish Trap.

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