ITEM:		INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/STAFF REPORTS
18.	CARMEL RIVER FISHERY REPORT FOR AUGUST 2012
Meeting Date:			September 17, 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 August 2012, Carmel River streamflow conditions for fish migration in the lower river were inadequate for both adults and smolts. Habitat conditions for juveniles below the Narrows continued to diminish as flows became intermittent from the Schulte Road area down to the lagoon. Juvenile fish rearing was adequate above the Narrows, but becoming increasingly adverse as flows continue to decline.

During August 2012, the mean daily streamflow recorded at the District’s Carmel River at Sleepy Hollow Weir gaging station averaged 7.35 cubic-feet per second (cfs) and ranged from 6.5 to 8.1 cfs. Unimpaired runoff at San Clemente Dam (SCD) for the month of August 2012 was 124 AF. Unimpaired runoff at SCD for Water Year (WY) 2012, which starts on October 1^st, has totaled 19,989 AF or about 29% of the long-term annual average of 69,199 AF. During August 2012, 0.0 inches of rainfall were recorded at California American Water’s (CAW) SCD. The rainfall total for WY 2012 is 13.94 inches, which is 65% of the long-term Year-To-Date average of 21.30 inches and 65% of the long-term annual average of 21.45 inches.

CARMEL RIVER LAGOON: During August 2012, the lagoon’s water-surface elevation (WSE) ranged from approximately 3.15 to 3.95 feet above mean sea level (see graph below). Flows into the lagoon steadily declined from 0.27 cfs to 0.08 cfs, as measured at the MPWMD Highway One gage. The Lagoon remained closed to the ocean the entire month.

Water-quality sampling was conducted on August 31, 2012. During this sampling survey, the WSE was 3.38 feet. All sites were very shallow (less than 1 meter), with the exception of the South Arm site, which was 3.75 meters deep. Water clarity was fair at all sites with visibilities greater than 3 feet. Salinity levels throughout the lagoon were fresh (less than 1.5 parts per thousand) at all sites from surface to bottom. Dissolved oxygen levels were adequate at the surface down to 3 meters for steelhead at all sites. The South Arm site had dissolved oxygen readings less than 5 mg/L below 3 meter of depth, which is considered stressful and inadequate for steelhead rearing. Water temperatures throughout the water column ranged from 64 degrees Fahrenheit (F) to 68 F. Overall, the water column was not stratified and conditions were adequate for steelhead rearing.

FISH RESCUES: On June 15, 2012, staff began fish rescues, starting at Highway 1 Bridge and working up to the Schulte Bridge (RM 6.70) by the end of July. Through August, a total of 7,298 fish were rescued, 6,894 young-of-year, 377 yearlings and 27 mortalities. Staff brought all fish to the Sleepy Hollow Steelhead Rearing Facility.

SLEEPY HOLLOW STEELHEAD REARING FACILITY: All fish brought into the facility 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. As of August 31, 2012, staff has stocked a total of 7,087 fish into the rearing channel and rearing troughs, 5,677 young-of-year and 374 yearlings. There have been 1,036 mortalities. The survival rate in the rearing channel through the end of August was 85%.

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