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ITEM: |
INFORMATIONAL ITEM/STAFF REPORT |
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20. |
CARMEL RIVER FISHERY REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2024 |
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Meeting Date: |
January 27, 2025 |
Budgeted: |
N/A |
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From: |
David J. Stoldt, |
Program/ |
N/A |
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General Manager |
Line Item No.: |
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Prepared By: |
Cory Hamilton |
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: This
action does not constitute a project as defined by the California
Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378. |
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AQUATIC HABITAT AND FLOW CONDITIONS: A couple more inches of rain fell in December,
resulting in a continual increase in streamflow in the Carmel River. This
increased the lagoon water levels to above “action” levels of 10 feet (see
graphic). On December 16th, the Monterey County Public Works
artificially breached the mouth of the lagoon to prevent homes from flooding at
a lagoon water surface height of 10.31 feet. The lagoon continued to open and
close periodically the rest of the month. Los Padres Reservoir increased to a water
surface elevation of 1039.50 feet by the end of the month, which is 0.5 feet
from spill. Flow release out of the
reservoir at the end of the month was 11 cfs, while the incoming flow into the
reservoir was 25 cfs.
December’s streamflow at the Sleepy Hollow Weir gaging station ranged from 9.0 to 22 cfs (mean 14.2
cfs), while flows at the Highway 1 gage ranged from 9.2 to 22 cfs
(mean 14.5 cfs).
There was 2.43 inches of rainfall in December as
recorded at the San Clemente gauge. The total rainfall for Water Year (WY)
2025 (which started October 1, 2024) is 5.33 inches., which is 79% of
normal.
FISH RESCUES: Conditions in the river are now sufficient to
halt monitoring for fish rescue activities. Staff performed 32 rescue
operations and rescued a total of 5,633 steelhead out of the Carmel River Basin
this season.
ADULT
MONITORING: District staff are monitoring conditions to install the resistance
board weir, which is used to enumerate adult steelhead entering the Carmel
River. Staff also initiated its critical
riffle monitoring surveys this month in preparation for the ASR diversion
season. Five riffles have been selected
and will be monitored once conditions are met for diversion.
U:\staff\Boardpacket\2025\012725\Informational
Items\20\Item-20.docx