ITEM:	INFORMATION ITEMS / STAFF REPORTS
20.	CARMEL RIVER FISHERY REPORT
Meeting Date:		July 19, 2004	Budgeted: N/A
Staff Contact:		Dave Dettman/	Program/Line Item No.: N/A
		Beverly Chaney	Cost Estimate: N/A
General Counsel Approval: N/A
Committee Recommendation: N/A
CEQA Compliance: N/A

AQUATIC HABITAT AND FLOW CONDITIONS: During June 2004, Carmel River streamflow conditions were poor to fair for juvenile steelhead rearing. By the end of June, the river had dried up approximately to Riverside RV Park (River Mile [RM] 5.7). In June, mean daily streamflow recorded at the District’s Carmel River Sleepy Hollow Weir gaging station averaged 13.5 cubic feet per second (cfs) and ranged from 9.5 to 19 cfs.

In June 2004, 0.15 inches of rainfall were recorded by Cal-Am at San Clemente Dam (SCD). The long-term June average at this site is 0.12 inches. In the past four months, only 0.78 inches of rain were recorded at SCD, well below the long-term average of 5.6 inches.

The Carmel River Lagoon was closed throughout June. The water surface elevation (WSE) dropped steadily from 5.5 feet to 3.3 feet during the month.

SUMMER FISH RESCUES IN THE LOWER CARMEL RIVER: On May 10, 2004, staff began fish rescues at Highway One. Through June 30, 2004, a total of 12,180 fish have been rescued up to the Meadows Road area (RM 6.1) including 11,488 young-of-the-year, 467 yearlings, 67 smolts, 1 adults and 156 fish that died in transport for a survival of 98%.

SLEEPY HOLLOW FISH REARING FACILITY: Staff began stocking fish at Sleepy Hollow on May 11, 2004. Through June 30, 2004, a total of 10,875 fish have been stocked, including 10,474 young-of-the-year and 401 yearlings. Mortality of stocked fish has been low, with only 93 known young-of-the-year mortalities (99.1% survival) and 52 yearling mortalities (87% survival).

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