Corrected on 2/26/2014
ITEM:		INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/STAFF REPORTS
26.	CARMEL RIVER FISHERY REPORT FOR JANUARY 2013 2014
Meeting Date:			February 13, 2014	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 January 2014, Carmel River streamflow at the MPWMD Highway 1 gage (HW 1) was 0 cubic-feet per second (cfs).  Lower river flows during January were not adequate for migration or rearing for any life stage of steelhead.  The river remained dry to the Red Rock area in mid-valley (RM 8.1) as well as an additional mile of stream between Boronda Bridge and DeDampierre Park (RM 14.1). 

Mean daily stream flow at the District’s Carmel River at Sleepy Hollow Weir gaging station ranged from 3.8 to 3.0 cfs, with a mean monthly flow of 3.3 cfs. 

During January 2014, 0.02 inches of rainfall were recorded at California American Water’s (CAW) SCD.  The rainfall total for WY 2014 (which started on October 1, 2013) is 1.08 inches, or 9.7% of the long-term annual average (to date) of 11.17 inches.

CARMEL RIVER LAGOON:  In January 2014, the lagoon’s water-surface elevation (WSE) remained relatively stable, ranging from 4.7 to 5.4 feet above mean sea level (see graph below).  Surface inflow to the lagoon ceased on May 24, 2013.

Lagoon water-quality profiles were completed at five sites on January 13, 2014. Due to wave overwash in December, lagoon salinity levels increased significantly to 10-12 parts per thousand. Temperatures were consistent at all sites, at approximately 9 degrees C, while dissolved oxygen (DO) levels ranged from 7-9 milligrams per liter. Both temperature and (DO) levels at all sites were in the “good” range for steelhead rearing. At site S2 (south arm), a thermocline at 1.5 meter depth caused the temperature and salinity to increase with depth while DO decreased.

LOWER RIVER STEELHEAD RESCUES:  No rescues were done in January.  Staff is continuing to monitor conditions at the river front.

EXHIBITS

None

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