ITEM:		INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/STAFF REPORTS
28.	CARMEL RIVER FISHERY REPORT FOR MAY 2013
Meeting Date:			June 17, 2013	Budgeted:	N/A
From:			David J. Stoldt,	Program/	N/A
			General Manager	Line Item No.:
Prepared By:			Beverly Chaney	Cost Estimate:	N/A
General Counsel Review: N/A
Committee Recommendation: N/A
CEQA Compliance: N/A

AQUATIC HABITAT AND FLOW CONDITIONS: During May 2013, Carmel River streamflow conditions continued to decline from 5.1 cubic-feet per second (cfs) to 0 cfs on May 24, before rewetting, as measured at the MPWMD Highway 1 (HW 1) gage. Flows during May were not adequate for migration for any life stage of steelhead.

During May 2013, the mean daily streamflow recorded at the District’s Carmel River at Sleepy Hollow Weir gaging station was 10.9 cfs, dropping from 15 to 7.8 cfs by the end of the month. Unimpaired runoff at San Clemente Dam (SCD) for the month of May 2013 was 720 AF. Unimpaired runoff at SCD for Water Year (WY) 2013, which starts on October 1^st, has totaled 26,898 AF or about 39% of the long-term annual average of 68,756 AF. During May 2013, 0.0 inches of rainfall were recorded at California American Water’s (CAW) SCD. The rainfall total for WY 2013 is 14.47 inches, which is 70% of the long-term Year-To-Date average of 20.60 inches and 68% of the long-term annual average of 21.37 inches. WY 2013 is the seventh hydrologic drought since 1902, with two consecutive “dry” or “critically dry” years. The January to May 2013 flow conditions categorize well within “CRITICALLY DRY” and are similar to conditions in 1994 and 2007.

CARMEL RIVER LAGOON: During May 2013, the lagoon’s water-surface elevation (WSE) declined steadily from 7.0 to 4.8 feet above mean sea level (see graph below). Continuous, but low flow entered the lagoon until May 24, as inflow declined from 5.5 cfs to 0 cfs as measured at the MPWMD HW 1 gage.

Water quality profiles were completed at five lagoon sites on May 31, 2013. During sampling the lagoon’s WSE was 4.79 feet above mean-sea-level and the mouth was closed. The water had a dark green tint with visibility to 1 meter. Parameters at all sites were fairly consistent down to the 1.75 meter thermocline at Site S2, the CAWD pipe, where temperature and salinity were significantly higher and DO was significantly lower than at the other sites. Overall, salinity levels remained low, with concentrations of 1.0 part-per-thousand (ppt) at the surface to maximum concentrations of 8.2 ppt at depth. Dissolved oxygen levels ranged from 3.2 to 19.6 mg/L. Water temperatures were generally higher than in April, ranging from 67 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the water column.

ADULT STEELHEAD AT SAN CLEMENTE DAM (SCD): The fish counter and video camera were installed and tested at the SCD fish ladder in late November 2012. The Lagoon opened to the ocean this season on December 3, 2012 and the first fish was recorded at the counter on December 5, 2012. Through the end of May there have been a total of 249 fish recorded at the counter including: 18 in December, 46 in January, 47 in February, 115 in March, 23 in April, and 0 in May (see graph below). The camera and counter operations were concluded on May 31.

ADULT STEELHEAD AT LOS PADRES DAM (LPD): The first fish observed in the LPD trap was on January 15, 2013. Through the end of May there have been a total of 65 fish recorded in the trap including: 3 in January, 5 in February, 45 in March, 12 in April, and 0 in May (see graph below).

MID-VALLEY SMOLT TRAPPING: District staff installed the smolt box trap and weir near mid-valley on April 18, 2013. The primary goal of the trap was to prevent stranding of downstream migrants in drying reaches of the lower river. Captured smolts and kelts were transported and released into the ocean at Carmel River Beach, while captured juvenile fish were transported farther upstream and released into permanent habitat. The trap was dismantled on May 31, 2013. Through the end of May, a total of 7,007 steelhead were trapped and transported including: 102 smolts, 6,051 young-of-the-year (YOY), 850 age 1+ juveniles, 3 kelts, and 1 resident adult. In addition, there were 100 mortalities of small YOY fish (1.4%).

LOWER RIVER STEELHEAD RESCUES: District staff began fish rescues on April 19, 2013 as flow at the HW 1 gage declined to 10 cfs. Through the end of May, 14,097 steelhead had been captured and released upstream in permanent habitat or taken to the Sleepy Hollow Steelhead Rearing Facility (SHSRF) including: 13,915 young-of-the-year, 102 age 1+ juveniles, 5 kelts, and 75 mortalities (0.53%).

SLEEPY HOLLOW STEELHEAD REARING FACILITY: After pump repairs and testing, the SHSRF began accepting all rescued fish on May 28, 2013. Through the end of May a total of 3,104 fish had been stocked in the rearing troughs or rearing channel including: 3,087 YOY, 14 1+ juveniles, and 3 mortalities.

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