ITEM:		INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/STAFF REPORTS
16.	CARMEL RIVER FISHERY REPORT
Meeting Date:			April 15, 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 March 2013, Carmel River streamflow conditions were in decline, with the exception of a small flow increase on March 6^th and 7^th when flows increased 10 cubic-feet per second (cfs), then continued to decline the rest of the month. Flows during March were adequate for migration of juvenile and smolt stages of steelhead. Adult steelhead migration conditions were impaired the entire month, with mean daily flows less than 42 cfs as measured at the MPWMD Highway One gage.

During March 2013, the mean daily streamflow recorded at the District’s Carmel River at Sleepy Hollow Weir gaging station averaged 34.7 cfs and ranged from 28 to 47 cfs. Unimpaired runoff at San Clemente Dam (SCD) for the month of March 2013 was 2,167 AF. Unimpaired runoff at SCD for Water Year (WY) 2013, which starts on October 1^st, has totaled 24,780 AF or about 36% of the long-term annual average of 68,756 AF. During March 2013, 0.46 inches of rainfall were recorded at California American Water’s (CAW) SCD. The rainfall total for WY 2013 is 13.99 inches, which is 74% of the long-term Year-To-Date average of 18.89 inches and 65% of the long-term annual average of 21.37 inches.

CARMEL RIVER LAGOON: During March 2013, the lagoon’s water-surface elevation (WSE) ranged from approximately 1.21 to 8.58 feet above mean sea level (see graph below). Continuous flow entered the lagoon all month long, but flow continued to decline from 35 cfs to 19 cfs as measured at the MPWMD Highway 1 gage. The lagoon mouth opened and closed to the ocean periodically through-out the entire month.

Water quality was not sampled in March 2013, due to malfunction of water quality equipment. Equipment has been shipped to the manufacturer for repairs and sampling is expected be continued next month in April.

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 March there have been a total of 226 fish recorded passing the counter, 18 in December, 46 in January, 47 in February and 115 in March.

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 March there have been a total of 53 fish recorded in the trap, 3 in January, 5 in February and 45 in March.

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