ITEM:

INFORMATIONAL ITEM/STAFF REPORT

 

19.

CARMEL RIVER FISHERY REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 2024

 

Meeting Date:

March 18, 2024

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:  February was wet with 17 days of measurable rain at the San Clemente gage, bringing river flows above 3,000 cfs in the lower watershed. To date, one adult steelhead has been captured in the Los Padres Dam trap and moved above the dam. Staff observed a number sea-run adults in the Sleepy Hollow reach and fish have been seen in several tributaries.

 

February’s streamflow at the Sleepy Hollow Weir gaging station ranged from 188 to 2,190 cfs (avg. 506 cfs), while flows at the Highway 1 gage ranged from 225 to 3,100 cfs (avg. 647 cfs).

There were 7.17 inches of rainfall in February as recorded at the San Clemente gauge. The total rainfall for Water Year (WY) 2024 (which started October 1, 2023) is 16.66 inches, or 107% of the long-term year-to-date average of 15.51 inches.

 

CARMEL RIVER LAGOON:  In February, the lagoon’s WSE ranged from approximately 4.6-11.2feet (NGVD 1988) (see graph below).

 

Water quality depth-profiles were conducted at five sites on February 23, 2024, while the lagoon mouth was open, water surface elevation was 7.50 feet, and river inflow was 520 cfs. Steelhead migration and rearing conditions were good. Salinity levels were low, ranging from 0.3-14 ppt, water temperature ranged from 52-59 degrees Fahrenheit, and dissolved oxygen (DO) levels ranged from 8-11 mg/l.

 

A graph of water management Description automatically generated

 

 

 

 

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