ITEM:		INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/STAFF REPORTS
20.	CARMEL RIVER FISHERY REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 2012
Meeting Date:			March 19, 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 February 2012, Carmel River streamflow conditions were adequate for all life stages of steelhead, with the exception of adults, due to insufficient flows for adequate migration the entire period. Flow to the lagoon was continuous during the entire month. Although flows were considered poor for migrating adults, a few adult fish managed to get into the system when the lagoon was open to the ocean and make their way upstream past the San Clemente Reservoir.

During February 2012, the mean daily streamflow recorded at the District’s Carmel River at Sleepy Hollow Weir gaging station averaged 28.3 cfs and ranged from 23 to 37 cfs. Unimpaired runoff at San Clemente Dam (SCD) for the month of February 2012 was 1,637 AF. Unimpaired runoff at SCD for Water Year (WY) 2012, which starts on October 1^st, has totaled 7,394 AF or about 11% of the long-term annual average of 69,199 AF. During February 2012, 0.90 inches of rainfall were recorded at California American Water’s (CAW) SCD. The rainfall total for WY 2012 is 7.48 inches, which is only 48% of the long-term Year-To-Date average of 15.64 inches and 35% of the long-term annual average of 21.45 inches.

CARMEL RIVER LAGOON: During February 2012, the lagoon’s water-surface elevation (WSE) ranged from approximately 1.5 to 10.28 feet above mean sea level (see graph below). On February 2^nd, a small breach in the lagoon occurred and lowered the WSE by approximately 1 foot. The mouth quickly closed and the WSE continued to rise to a level of 8.75 ft. On February 6^th the sandbar naturally opened again, dropping the water level to 6.75 ft. Two weeks later on February 20^th, a major breach occurred, dropping the WSE by 9 ft in a few hours. This breach created a 40 ft wide opening to the ocean and allowed seawater to enter, quickly refilling the lagoon. This resulted in a fairly well mixed water column, a change from the well-defined stratified layers seen in December and January. The WSE continued to rise for the remainder of the month to a level of 8.25 ft by the end of the month.

Water-quality sampling was conducted at five sites between 1045 and 1230 on February 27, 2012. During sampling, the lagoon’s water surface elevation (WSE) was 7.95 feet above mean sea level and river inflow averaged 16 cubic-feet-per-second (cfs) measured at the MPWMD Highway One gage. All sites were quite deep, greater than 2.5 meters (m) deep and water clarity was fair to good with visibility greater than 1 m. Salinity levels across all sites increased with depth below 0.5 m, reaching maximum concentration of 27 parts per thousand (ppt) at the CAWD outfall pipe. Dissolved oxygen was satisfactory across all sites at the surface down to about 1 meter off the bottom. Water temperatures were adequate for steelhead rearing, ranging from 52 to 61 degrees Fahrenheit through-out the water column.

ADULT STEELHEAD AT SAN CLEMENTE DAM: The fish counter and video camera were installed and tested at the ladder in December 2011. The first fish recorded over the counter was on February 14, 2012, the first day San Clemente Reservoir spilled. Through the end of February there have been a total of 33 fish recorded passing the counter. The fish counter malfunctioned for an 11-day period in February, and counts are currently being updated after review of the video.

ADULT STEELHEAD AT LOS PADRES DAM: The fish trap is operational. The first fish observed in the trap was on February 28, 2012. Through the end of February there have been a total of 6 fish recorded in the trap.

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