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ITEM: |
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/STAFF REPORTS |
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17. |
CARMEL RIVER FISHERY REPORT
FOR JUNE 2013 |
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Meeting Date: |
July 22, 2013 |
Budgeted: |
N/A |
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From: |
David J. Stoldt, |
Program/ |
N/A |
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General Manager |
Line Item No.: |
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Prepared By: |
Beverly Chaney |
Cost Estimate: |
N/A |
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General Counsel Review: N/A |
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Committee Recommendation: N/A |
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CEQA Compliance: N/A |
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AQUATIC HABITAT AND FLOW CONDITIONS: During June 2013, Carmel River streamflow declined from 0.08 cubic-feet per second (cfs) to 0 cfs as measured at the MPWMD Highway 1 (HW 1) gage. Flows during June were not adequate for migration for any life stage of steelhead.
During June 2013, the mean daily streamflow recorded at the District’s Carmel River at Sleepy Hollow Weir gaging station was relatively constant, ranging from 6.1 to 8.0 cfs, with a monthly mean of 7.1 cfs. Unimpaired runoff at San Clemente Dam (SCD) for the month of June 2013 was 425 AF. Unimpaired runoff at SCD for Water Year (WY) 2013, which starts on October 1st, has totaled 26,210 AF or about 38% of the long-term annual average of 68,756 AF.
During June 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 20.73 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 June 2013 flow conditions categorize well within “CRITICALLY DRY” and are similar to conditions in 1994 and 2007.
CARMEL RIVER LAGOON: During June 2013, the lagoon’s water-surface elevation (WSE) declined from 4.6 to 4.0 feet above mean sea level (see graph below). Surface inflow to the lagoon ceased on May 24, 2013.
Water quality profiles were completed at five lagoon sites on June 28, 2013. During sampling the lagoon’s WSE was 3.95 feet above mean-sea-level and the mouth was closed. The water had a dark green tint with visibility to 1.5 meter. Salinity levels remained low, with concentrations of less than 2.0 part-per-thousand (ppt) at all sites except below 1.75 meters at the CAWD Pipe site (S2) where the salinity reached 7.8 ppt. Dissolved oxygen levels ranged from approximately 5 to 14 mg/L. Water temperatures continued to be high throughout the lagoon, ranging from 74 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures in the south arm were particularly warm.
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 June, 35,333 steelhead had been captured and released upstream in permanent habitat or taken to the Sleepy Hollow Steelhead Rearing Facility (SHSRF) including: 34,844 young-of-the-year, 271 age 1+ juveniles, 5 kelts, and 213 mortalities (0.60%).
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 June a total of 21,526 fish had been stocked in the rearing troughs or rearing channel including: 18,128 YOY, 142 1+ juveniles, and 3,256 mortalities. Survival through June 30 is 85%.
U:\staff\Boardpacket\2013\20130722\InfoItems\17\item17.docx