ITEM:		INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/STAFF REPORTS
20.	CARMEL RIVER FISHERY REPORT FOR APRIL 2012
Meeting Date:			May 21, 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 April 2012, Carmel River streamflow conditions were the best observed so far this water year and was adequate for all life stages of steelhead, with the exception of adults, due to insufficient flows for adequate migration during the latter half of the month. During the first half of the month, flows were adequate for adult migration, as we observed the peak flow (190 cfs at HWY 1 gage) so far this year. Flow to the lagoon was continuous during the entire month. Although flows were considered suboptimal for migrating adults during the latter half of the month, adult fish still managed to make their way upstream past the San Clemente Reservoir.

During April 2012, the mean daily streamflow recorded at the District’s Carmel River at Sleepy Hollow Weir gaging station averaged 91.3 cfs and ranged from 52 to 168 cfs. Unimpaired runoff at San Clemente Dam (SCD) for the month of April 2012 was 5,469 AF. Unimpaired runoff at SCD for Water Year (WY) 2012, which starts on October 1^st, has totaled 16,704 AF or about 27% of the long-term year-to-date average of 62,987 AF. During April 2012, 2.41 inches of rainfall were recorded at California American Water’s (CAW) SCD. The rainfall total for WY 2012 is 13.83 inches, which is 67% of the long-term Year-To-Date average of 20.67 inches and 64% of the long-term annual average of 21.45 inches.

CARMEL RIVER LAGOON: During April 2012, the lagoon’s water-surface elevation (WSE) ranged from approximately 1.22 to 8.83 feet above mean sea level (see graph below). Following a breach on the 1st of April, the lagoon remained open the entire month. The WSE varied daily with the tides. A series of storms in the second week of April resulted in the highest flows seen this year, 190 cfs at the HW 1 gage. The flow continued to decline through the end of the month, yet remained high enough to keep the lagoon mouth open. Sand has been deposited at the north end of the lagoon near the parking lot on Scenic Drive.

Water-quality sampling was conducted on April 30, 2012. During this sampling survey, the WSE was 2.74 feet and all sites were very shallow, less than 2.5 meters. Both the North Arm site and Odello Channel site were only 0.5 meters deep. Water clarity was excellent in all sites with visibility greater than 2 meters. Salinity levels in the lagoon were low at the surface and increased with depth. All sites had salinity levels <5 parts per thousand (ppt) at the surface. The South Arm CAWD Pipe site had a maximum salinity level of 24.5 ppt at the bottom. Dissolved oxygen levels were adequate at all sites for steelhead rearing ranging from 5.3 mg/L to 8.3 mg/L. Water temperatures ranged from 55 degrees Fahrenheit (F) to 65 F. Overall, the water column was fairly well mixed in the lagoon given the frequent inflow and outflow of seawater and fresh water.

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 April there have been a total of 470 fish recorded passing the counter, 72 in February, 366 in March and 32 in April. The fish counter malfunctioned for an 11-day period in February; counts for this period have been 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 April there have been a total of 174 fish recorded in the trap, 6 in February, 156 in March and 12 in April.

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