ITEM:		INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/STAFF REPORTS
17.	CARMEL RIVER FISHERY REPORT FOR NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2011
Meeting Date:			January 23, 2012	Budgeted:	N/A
From:			David J. Stoldt,	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 November and December 2011, Carmel River streamflow conditions for fish migration were adequate for all life stages of steelhead, with the exception of adults, due to insufficient flows for migration the entire period. Flow to the lagoon was continuous during both months.

During November 2011, the mean daily streamflow recorded at the District’s Carmel River at Sleepy Hollow Weir gaging station averaged 19.3 cubic-feet per second (cfs) and ranged from 18 to 24 cfs. During December 2011, the mean daily streamflow recorded at the District’s Carmel River at Sleepy Hollow Weir gaging station averaged 17.9 cfs and ranged from 17 to 19 cfs. Unimpaired runoff at San Clemente Dam (SCD) for the months of November and December 2011 were 1,190 and 1,022 AF, respectively. Unimpaired runoff at SCD for Water Year (WY) 2012, which starts on October 1^st, has totaled 3,103 AF or about 4.5% of the long-term annual average of 69,199 AF. During November and December 2011, 1.59 and 0.10 inches of rainfall were recorded at California American Water’s (CAW) SCD, respectively. The rainfall total for WY 2012 is 3.4 inches, which is 50% of the long-term Year-To-Date average of 6.81 inches and 16% of the long-term annual average of 21.45 inches.

CARMEL RIVER LAGOON: During November 2011, the lagoon’s water-surface elevation (WSE) ranged from approximately 6.71 to 9.88 feet above mean sea level (see graph below). On November 16, the Monterey County Public Works crews began mechanically breaching the lagoon to the south by creating a narrow, shallow channel along the southern bluffs. On November 25, the channel was widened to increase the outflow. By November 26 the WSE decreased from 9.88 to 6.71 feet and was closed on November 27.

Water quality was sampled on November 29, 2011. During the November sampling, all sites were quite deep (> 2.5 meters) as the lagoon sandbar was reclosed and inflow was still continuous. Overall, water quality above 2 meters depthwas fresh, cool and fairly oxygenated. Salinity levels across all sites increased with depth below 2 meters. The CAWD outfall pipe and New South Arm sites were the only two sites that reached salinity levels above 4 parts per thousand (ppt), with maximum concentrations of 25.6 and 10.9 ppt, respectively. Dissolved oxygen was satisfactory (> 5.0 mg/L) for steelhead across all sites down to approximately 1.5 meters, and then decreased with continuous depth into stressful conditions. Water temperatures were adequate for steelhead rearing, ranging from 54 to 61 degrees Fahrenheit through out the water column.

During December 2011, the lagoon’s WSE ranged from approximately 7.87 to 9.92 feet above mean sea level (see graph below). On December 20, the Monterey County Public Works crews began mechanically breaching the lagoon to the south again, by creating a narrow, shallow channel along the southern bluffs. The WSE dropped from approximately 9.9 to 8.7 feet between December 20 and December 23 during which time the County had to re-open the lagoon twice more due to it being closed by ocean wave action. The channel was closed on December 23 and the WSE increased to 9.6 feet by December 31.

Water quality was sampled on December 22, 2011. Overall, conditions remained similar to the November sampling with the exception of water temperature. Water temperatures across all sites were 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit cooler during the December sampling. The water column was stratified with respect to dissolved oxygen, water temperature and salinity at 2 meters depth. Water quality is suitable for steelhead rearing above this stratified layer, but becomes stressful below.

FISH RESCUES: On August 5, 2011, staff began fish rescues, starting at Highway 1 Bridge and working up to Via Mallorca Bridge (RM 3.24) by the end of August. Through September, a total of 1,751 fish were rescued, 1,670 young-of-year, 81 yearlings and 0 mortalities. Staff transported 1,734 fish to the Sleepy Hollow Steelhead Rearing Facility and 17 fish were released in the mainstem Carmel River at Garland Park.

SLEEPY HOLLOW STEELHEAD REARING FACILITY: During November 1 through November 8, 2011, District staff carried out releases of this seasons’ rescued and reared steelhead from the Sleepy Hollow Steelhead Rearing Facility (SHSRF). All fish brought into the facility during the rescue season go through a quarantine process, after which they are recounted and stocked into the rearing channel. During this process there are some numerical differences between what is brought in for quarantine from the field and what is stocked into the channel. These differences represent fish that are consumed by other fish during transport and while in the quarantine tank or numerical counting errors in the field during rescue. During the rescue season staff stocked a total of 1,685 fish into the rearing channel; 1,610 young-of-year and 75 yearlings. Staff successfully released 1,393 fish into the lower Carmel River; 1,332 young-of-year and 61 yearlings. All fish were transported and released between Valley Greens Bridge (RM 4.82) and Highway One Bridge (RM 1.1). Overall survival rate of fish reared at the SHSRF was 83%.

Staff shut down the pumps and carried out winterization of the SHSRF during the period of November 9 through November 18.

ADULT STEELHEAD AT SAN CLEMENTE DAM: In December 2011, staff completed annual maintance, cleaning and testing of the fish counter and set up the video camera at the San Clemente Dam Fish Counting Station.

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