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ITEM: |
CONSENT
CALENDAR |
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5. |
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF 2024
ANNUAL MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT FOR RELEASES FROM LOS PADRES RESERVOIR AMONG CALIFORNIA
AMERICAN WATER, CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE, AND MONTEREY
PENINSULA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT |
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Meeting
Date: |
August 19, 2024 |
Budgeted: |
N/A |
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From: |
David J. Stoldt, |
Program/ |
Aquatic Resources and |
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General Manager |
Line Item No.: |
Hydrologic Monitoring 2 |
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Prepared
By: |
Thomas Christensen and Jon Lear |
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: Consistent
with SWRCB WR Order Nos. 95-10, 98-04, 2002-0002, and 2016-0016.
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ESA Compliance: Consistent with the September 2001
Conservation Agreement between the National Marine Fisheries Service and
California American Water to minimize take of listed steelhead in the Carmel
River.
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SUMMARY: Representatives from the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (MPWMD), California American Water (Cal-Am), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) met on July 22, 2024, to negotiate the terms and conditions for the 2024 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for releases and diversions from Los Padres Reservoir to the Carmel River. As has been the case annually since 2010, concurrence was provided only on the minimum low-flow targets.
Based on current storage conditions and expected reservoir inflows, it was agreed that Cal-Am shall make water releases into the Carmel River channel below Los Padres Reservoir beginning July 24, 2024, as follows measured at the District’s Below Los Padres Gage:
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Date
Range 2024 |
Flow
in Cubic Feet per Second |
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July 24 – August 31 |
11 cfs |
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September 1- October 20 |
10 cfs |
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October 21-November 15 |
9 cfs |
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November 16 – November 30 |
8 cfs |
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December 1 – December 30 |
7 cfs |
When winter returns, Los Padres Reservoir will refill as the natural base flow increases and flows resume going over the spillway.
Cal-Am ceased diversions from its wells upstream of the Narrows on July 10, 2024, when Carmel River flow at the District’s Don Juan Bridge gaging station in Garland Park had dropped below 20 cfs for the prior five consecutive days. These actions conform to State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Order 2002-0002 and the 2001 NMFS Conservation Agreement with Cal-Am. The Draft 2024 MOA is included as Exhibit 5-A.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Board approve the 2024 MOA and direct the General Manager to sign the agreement.
BACKGROUND: The projected monthly inflows to Los Padres Reservoir are derived from many years of above Los Padres Reservoir streamflow measurements. These inflows are then incorporated into a spreadsheet that uses the continuity equation to track stage, evaporation, and release. The parties will continue to monitor reservoir stage and release throughout the year and may meet either in September or October to reconsider whether or not any further modifications are needed.
To maximize the instream flow benefits from the proposed releases, the MOA also includes a condition that limits the amount of water pumped from Cal-Am's production wells in the Upper Carmel Valley (i.e., above the Narrows) to levels required for maintenance of the wells (Exhibit 5-B). This limitation and schedule also applies to the former Water West wells that are now owned and operated by Cal-Am. Similarly, the MOA includes a provision that Cal-Am will make all reasonable efforts to operate its Lower Carmel Valley production wells beginning with the most downstream well and moving to upstream wells as needed to meet system demand. This provision is consistent with Condition No. 5 of SWRCB Order 95-10.
The
proposed MOA may be modified by mutual consent of all the parties and will be
monitored weekly by representatives of the three parties.
IMPACT ON STAFF AND FISCAL RESOURCES: It is anticipated that flows in the lower river will slowly drop. Staff are monitoring flows for possible fish rescue efforts.
5-A Draft 2024 Memorandum of Agreement between the State of California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California American Water, and the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District to Release Water into the Carmel River from Los Padres Reservoir
5-B Maintenance
and Water Quality Pumping Schedule
U:\staff\Boardpacket\2024\08192024\Consent
Calendar\05\Item-5.docx