ITEM:		INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/STAFF REPORTS
21.	CARMEL RIVER FISHERY REPORT FOR JANUARY 2013
Meeting Date:			February 27, 2013	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 January 2013, Carmel River streamflow conditions were adequate for all life stages of steelhead, until the last few days of the month, when streamflow conditions degraded to a mean daily flow of less than 80 cfs at MPWMD Highway One Gage and potentially become insufficient for unimpaired adult migration. Habitat conditions for juvenile steelhead in the river were excellent, with increased habitat available and optimal water quality due to the increased flows and cool weather.

During January 2013, the mean daily streamflow recorded at the District’s Carmel River at Sleepy Hollow Weir gaging station averaged 101 cfs and ranged from 61 to 174 cfs. Unimpaired runoff at San Clemente Dam (SCD) for the month of January 2013 was 6,224 AF. Unimpaired runoff at SCD for Water Year (WY) 2013, which starts on October 1^st, has totaled 19,943 AF or about 29% of the long-term annual average of 68,756 AF. During January 2013, 1.52 inches of rainfall were recorded at California American Water’s (CAW) SCD. The rainfall total for WY 2013 is 12.63 inches, which is 113% of the long-term Year-To-Date average of 11.18 inches and 59% of the long-term annual average of 21.37 inches.

CARMEL RIVER LAGOON: During January 2013, the lagoon’s water-surface elevation (WSE) ranged from approximately 1.12 to 10.01 feet above mean sea level (see graph below). Continuous flow entered the lagoon all month long. The lagoon mouth was open to the ocean most of January, closing on January 23^rd and reopening on January 25^th. The lagoon mouth closed again on January 27^th and reopened on January 28^th dropping WSE to approximately 3.1 feet.

Water quality was sampled on January 31, 2013. During the sampling survey the WSE was 2.0 feet and all sites except for the CAWD outfall pipe were less than 1 meter (m) deep. Water clarity had light green tint and visibility was down to 1 meter. Salinity levels across all sites increased with depth below 0.25 m, reaching maximum concentrations of 23.5 parts per thousand (ppt) at the CAWD outfall pipe. Dissolved oxygen was satisfactory across all sites throughout the water column. Water temperatures were optimal for steelhead rearing, ranging from 50 to 55 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 late November 2012. The Lagoon opened to the ocean for the first time this season on December 3, 2012. The first fish recorded over the counter was on December 5, 2012. Through the end of January there have been a total of 64 fish recorded passing the counter, 18 in December and 46 in January.

ADULT STEELHEAD AT LOS PADRES DAM: The fish trap is operational. The first fish observed in the trap was on January 15, 2013. Through the end of January there have been a total of 3 fish recorded in the trap.

U:\staff\Boardpacket\2013\20130227\InfoItems\21\item21.docx