ITEM:		INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/STAFF REPORTS
22.	CARMEL RIVER FISHERY REPORT FOR MARCH 2014
Meeting Date:			April 21, 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 March 2014, Carmel River streamflow at the MPWMD Highway 1 gage (HW 1) was 0 cubic-feet per second (cfs).   However, a large storm in late February/early March filled Los Padres Reservoir on March 1, 2014, allowing the riverfront to advance downstream to the Rancho Canada Well (RM 3.13). The peak flow at the USGS Robles Del Rio Gage (RM 15.78) reached nearly 700 cfs while the Near Carmel Gage at Via Mallorca Road Bridge (RM 3.24) only reached 25 cfs on March 2^nd and was dry again by March 4, 2014 (see chart below). The increase in flow was adequate for steelhead smolts and juveniles to begin their downstream migration but not enough for them to reach the lagoon or ocean.

Mean daily streamflow in March at the District’s Carmel River at Sleepy Hollow Weir gaging station ranged from 16 to 130 cfs, with a mean monthly flow of 36.29 cfs.  During March, 2.52 inches of rainfall were recorded at California American Water’s (CAW) San Clemente Dam (SCD).  The rainfall total for WY 2014 (which started on October 1, 2013) is 8.47 inches, or 44.8% of the long-term annual average (to date) of 18.89 inches.

CARMEL RIVER LAGOON:  In March 2014, the lagoon’s water-surface elevation (WSE) remained relatively stable, ranging from approximately 5.2 to 5.6 feet above mean sea level (see graph below).  Surface inflow to the lagoon from the Carmel River ceased on May 24, 2013. There was no river inflow to the lagoon and the mouth remained closed during March.

LOWER RIVER STEELHEAD RESCUES:  Staff began steelhead smolt and juvenile rescues on March 3, 2014, the earliest rescue start since 1991. As of the end of March 1,092 fish had been rescued, including: 473 smolts, 617 non-smolted juveniles, and two adults. The smolts and adults were acclimated to seawater then released into the ocean at Stewart’s Cove, near the Carmel River mouth. The juveniles were transported farther upstream and released.

STEELHEAD SMOLT TRAPP: Staff set up the smolt box-trap and weir on March 18, 2014. The purpose of the trap is to catch downstream migrates before they reach the drying section of river. The trap was operated for eight days before it had to be decommissioned due to permitting issues with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and impending flow increases which were predicted to be high enough to damage the weir. During that time, 293 fish were captured including: 91 smolts, 192 juveniles, and 1 adult.

March Streamflow at the USGS “Near Carmel Gage” at Via Mallorca Br.

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