ITEM:		INFORMATIONAL ITEM/STAFF REPORT
41.	CARMEL RIVER FISHERY REPORT FOR MAY 2022
Meeting Date:			June 20, 2022	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: This action does not constitute a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378.

AQUATIC HABITAT AND FLOW CONDITIONS:  Late spring Carmel River steelhead migration conditions were “poor” in the mainstem, while rearing conditions were “fair”. Most of the tributaries were dry at the confluence. Los Padres Reservoir stopped spilling on May 26, 2022, and releases were reduced to 6.2 cfs by the end of May.

May’s mean daily streamflow at the Sleepy Hollow Weir dropped from 20 to 8.8 cfs (monthly mean 12.8 cfs) resulting in 785 acre-feet (AF) of runoff, while the streamflow at the Highway 1 gage dropped from 16 to 3.5 cfs (monthly mean 7.5 cfs) resulting in 458 acre-feet (AF) of runoff.  

There were 0.01 inches of rainfall in May as recorded at the San Clemente gauge. The rainfall total for WY 2022 (which started on October 1, 2021) is 12.81 inches, or 62% of the long-term year-to-date average of 20.75 inches.

CARMEL RIVER LAGOON:  During May, the lagoon water surface elevation (WSE) ranged from ~ 5 to 13.0 feet. The lagoon mouth closed for the summer on May 4th (North American Vertical Datum of 1988; NAVD 88) (See graph below).

Water quality depth-profiles were conducted at five sites on May 24, 2022, while the lagoon mouth was closed, water surface elevation was 10.75 feet, and river inflow was 4.9 cfs. Steelhead rearing conditions were generally “good” in the main body of the lagoon down to two-meters depth. Salinity increased with depth, ranging from 1 - 30 ppt, dissolved oxygen (DO) levels ranged from 3 - 16 mg/l, and water temperatures ranged from 64 - 80 degrees F.

STEELHEAD REDD SURVEYS:  Fisheries staff completed two redd (nest) surveys in the Carmel River mainstem between Rosie’s Bridge and Highway 1 in March and May.

Overall, 71 steelhead redds were observed, many downstream of Robinson Canyon Road bridge due to the low river flows in March and April. Several adult fish were seen, as well as many fry in the May survey. Additionally, 53 lamprey redds were observed throughout the reach.

SLEEPY HOLLOW STEELHEAD REARING FACILITY: Preparations for upcoming steelhead rescues continued with final modifications to the quarantine system (tanks and chillers), additional testing of components, and setup of the rearing channel. The first batch of rescued fish arrived at the SHSRF on June 1, 2022.

Carmel River Lagoon Plot:

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