ITEM:		INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/STAFF REPORTS
27.	CARMEL RIVER FISHERY REPORT FOR JUNE 2011
Meeting Date:			July 18, 2011	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: During June 2011, Carmel River streamflow conditions for fish migration were adequate for all life stages of steelhead, with the exception of adult migration, which may become marginal below 80 cubic feet per second (cfs). A storm event hit the central coast on June 5 and increased river flows to a daily average of 201 cfs as recorded at the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (MPWMD or District) Highway 1 gage. By June 16, river flow decreased to a daily average of 76 cfs, and out-migration for adults became marginal throughout the rest of the month.

During June 2011, the mean daily streamflow recorded at the District’s Carmel River at Sleepy Hollow Weir gaging station averaged 86 cfs and ranged from 51 to 235 cfs. Unimpaired runoff at San Clemente Dam (SCD) for the month of June 2011 was 5,202 AF. Unimpaired runoff at SCD for Water Year (WY) 2011, which starts on October 1, 2010 has totaled 97,812 AF or about 142% of the long-term annual average of 68,900 AF. During June 2011, 1.29 inches of rainfall were recorded at California American Water’s (CAW) SCD. The rainfall total for WY 2011 is 24.73 inches, which is 115% of the long-term annual average of 21.41 inches.

CARMEL RIVER LAGOON: During June 2011, the lagoon’s water-surface elevation (WSE) ranged from approximately 1.3 to 7.27 feet above mean sea level (see graph below). Surface water quality was sampled on June 21, 2011. Surface water temperature during sampling was 66 degrees Fahrenheit, which is within suboptimal conditions for steelhead. Dissolved oxygen and salinity were within adequate range for steelhead rearing. During sampling, the mouth was open and an influx of seawater was observed.

FISH RESCUES: Staff is monitoring river conditions for any possible critical riffles that might disrupt out-migration of adults and smolts moving downstream. Staff is also preparing for the upcoming 2011 fish rescue season, which likely will start around the end of July or beginning of August.

SLEEPY HOLLOW STEELHEAD REARING FACILITY: Staff has been undertaking maintance, repairs and testing of the Sleepy Hollow Steelhead Rearing Facility for the upcoming 2011 fish rescue and rearing season.

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