ITEM:		INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/STAFF REPORTS
19.	CARMEL RIVER FISHERY REPORT FOR MARCH 2012
Meeting Date:			April 16, 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 March 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 during the first half of the month. During the latter half of the month, flows were adequate for adult migration. Flow to the lagoon was continuous during the entire month. Although flows were considered suboptimal for migrating adults most of the month, 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 March 2012, the mean daily streamflow recorded at the District’s Carmel River at Sleepy Hollow Weir gaging station averaged 60.9 cfs and ranged from 23 to 136 cfs. Unimpaired runoff at San Clemente Dam (SCD) for the month of March 2012 was 3,840 AF. Unimpaired runoff at SCD for Water Year (WY) 2012, which starts on October 1^st, has totaled 11,235 AF or about 16% of the long-term annual average of 69,199 AF. During March 2012, 3.94 inches of rainfall were recorded at California American Water’s (CAW) SCD. The rainfall total for WY 2012 is 11.42 inches, which is 60% of the long-term Year-To-Date average of 18.99 inches and 53% of the long-term annual average of 21.45 inches.

CARMEL RIVER LAGOON: During March 2012, the lagoon’s water-surface elevation (WSE) ranged from approximately 1.21 to 10.05 feet above mean sea level (see graph below). On March 4th, a natural breach in the lagoon occurred and lowered the WSE by ~ 8ft. The mouth was closed two days later and the WSE continued to rise to a level of 10ft. On March 19th the sandbar was opened again, dropping the water surface elevation from 10ft to 1.5 ft. The lagoon mouth remained open for the next six days and the WSE varied daily between 1.5 and 5ft (see plot below). A third breach occurred on March 25th and the lagoon was open for the remainder of the month.

Water quality sampling was conducted on March 26, 2012. During the sampling survey the WSE was 1.4 ft and all sites were less than 2 meters deep. Water clarity was poor to fair in all sites except main lagoon channel which had visibility greater than 3 feet. Surface waters were generally fresh. Salinity levels across all sites except the main lagoon channel increased with depth reaching maximum concentrations of 20.8 ppt at the CAWD outfall pipe in the south arm. The main lagoon channel site was fresh (0.1 to 1.0 ppt) at all depths. Dissolved oxygen was satisfactory at the sites in the main lagoon and at the CAWD outfall pipe. Dissolved oxygen was considered stressful in the new south arm sites. Water temperatures were adequate for steelhead rearing, ranging from 52 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit through-out the water column.

March was a very active month for the lagoon compared to previous months. A series of storms finally dropped enough rainfall on the watershed to allow the flows to increase to a level that opened the lagoon for extended periods. The lagoon was open for a good portion of the month, creating opportunities for adult steelhead to migrate.

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 March there have been a total of 428 fish recorded passing the counter, 62 in February and 366 in March. The fish counter malfunctioned for an 11 day period in February, and counts are currently being updated after review of the video. Eight of the eleven days have been reviewed and numbers updated.

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 March there have been a total of 162 fish recorded in the trap, 6 in February and 156 in March.

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