ITEM:		INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/STAFF REPORTS
25.	CARMEL RIVER FISHERY REPORT FOR JULY 2010
Meeting Date:			August 16, 2010	Budgeted:	N/A
From:			Darby Fuerst,	Program/	N/A
			General Manager	Line Item No.:
Prepared By:			Cory Hamilton	Cost Estimate:	N/A
General Counsel Review: N/A
Committee Recommendation: N/A
CEQA Compliance: N/A

AQUATIC HABITAT AND FLOW CONDITIONS: During July 2010, Carmel River streamflow conditions for fish migration were inadequate for adults and marginal for smolts with continuous flow to the lagoon. Juvenile fish rearing habitat was adequate throughout the entire mainstem of the river.

During July 2010, the mean daily streamflow recorded at the District’s Carmel River at Sleepy Hollow Weir gaging station averaged 29.2 cubic feet per second (cfs) and ranged from 20 to 39 cfs. Unimpaired runoff at San Clemente Dam (SCD) for the month of July 2010 was 1,802 AF. Unimpaired runoff at SCD for Water Year (WY) 2010 to date, which started October 1, 2009, has totaled 96,777 AF or about 142% of the long-term average to date for this site, and 141% of the long-term annual average of 68,630 AF. During July 2010, no rainfall was recorded at California American Water’s (CAW) SCD. The rainfall total for WY 2010 is 27.45 inches, which is 128% of the long-term annual average of 21.4 inches.

CARMEL RIVER LAGOON: During July 2010, the lagoon’s water-surface elevation (WSE) ranged from approximately 1.32 to 7.47 feet above mean sea level (see graph below). The lagoon’s water level continuously filled and emptied until State Parks closed the lagoon with bulldozers on July 13, 2010. Water quality was sampled once this month on July 21. There was a halocline observed at a depth of two meters in the south arm area which had salinity ranging up to 30 parts per thousand (ppt). Dissolved oxygen ranged from 4-10 milligram per liter (mg/L) and was approximately 7 mg/L down to two meters. Water temperature ranged between 63 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit at the sampling locations. Water temperatures in this range are considered to be suboptimal and can be stressful when above 68 degrees Fahrenheit to all life stages of steelhead.

FISH RESCUE: During July 2010, staff geared up for the upcoming rescue season. Routine stream monitoring was conducted in the lower river to identify any necessity to start rescues. During the month of July, 38 juvenile steelhead were rescued on the one day rescues were conducted (July 28).

SLEEPY HOLLOW STEELHEAD REARING FACILITY: During July 2010, staff tested and maintained the Sleepy Hollow Steelhead Rearing Facility. No fish were transported to the facility. The facility is online and ready for the start of the 2010 rescue season.

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